A new publication has been launched that addresses the importance for the future of healthcare professions that students learn about research as early as the pre-registration stage.
It considers ways to integrate research into pre-registration curricula, create more research opportunities for students and attract students to future research careers.
Becoming research confident: Research in pre-registration curricula for nursing, midwifery and allied health programmes in the UK was created by the Council of Deans of Health and the Society and College of Radiographers contributed to the document.
Using a series of surveys and case studies, it expresses how, in order to increase research exposure, there needs to be further collaboration between higher education institutions and practice partners.
The document says, “Whilst it is important that all healthcare professionals are able to use evidence to improve their practice, it is also vital to attract students to become researchers and create the evidence base that will inform and improve future practice and service development.”
In a study, more than half of student respondents said they enjoyed learning about research and around 70% said that learning about research is relevant to their pre-registration training.
Professor Brendan McCormack said, “The future of safe, effective and innovative practice depends upon a professional workforce that is research confident.
“Research capacity building is required at all career levels but begins with pre-registration students being given an understanding of the role of research in assessing, evaluating, and improving practice”
The CoR Industry Partnership Scheme has been cited in the publication as a form of encouragement for students to pursue a career in research.
“We plan to further develop our work on research in pre-registration curricula in line with the Council’s wider work on research capacity building and clinical academic careers,” Professor Brian McCormack said.
“We have really valued the engagement with the SoR on this and hope we can continue our collaboration on future projects.”
To download the full document, please click here.