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Burkinshaw P, Bryant LD, Magee C, et al. Ten years of NIHR research training: perceptions of the programmes: a qualitative interview study. BMJ Open. 2022;12(1):e046410doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046410.
Burkinshaw, P., Bryant, L. D., Magee, C., Thompson, P., Cotterill, L. A., Mulvey, M. R., & Hewison, J. (2022). Ten years of NIHR research training: perceptions of the programmes: a qualitative interview study. BMJ open, 12(1), e046410. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046410
Burkinshaw, Paula, et al. "Ten years of NIHR research training: perceptions of the programmes: a qualitative interview study." BMJ open vol. 12,1 (2022): e046410. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046410
Burkinshaw P, Bryant LD, Magee C, Thompson P, Cotterill LA, Mulvey MR, Hewison J. Ten years of NIHR research training: perceptions of the programmes: a qualitative interview study. BMJ Open. 2022 Jan 13;12(1):e046410. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046410. PMID: 35027413.
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BMJ Open. 2022 Jan 13;12(1):e046410. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046410.

Ten years of NIHR research training: perceptions of the programmes: a qualitative interview study.

BMJ open

Paula Burkinshaw, Louise D Bryant, Caroline Magee, Peter Thompson, Lisa Ann Cotterill, Matthew R Mulvey, Jenny Hewison

Affiliations

  1. Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
  2. Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
  3. Executive Team, NIHR Academy, Leeds, UK.
  4. Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK [email protected].

PMID: 35027413 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046410

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) training programmes were created to build and sustain research capacity in healthcare. Following the training programme 10-year strategic review, this qualitative study aimed to deepen understanding of facilitators and barriers for those progressing through NIHR-supported research careers.

DESIGN: Semistructured qualitative study.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Telephone interviews conducted between May and August 2017 were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed using Framework Approach.

SETTING: UK National Health Service (NHS) Trusts, university medical schools, District General Hospitals, Integrated Academic Training Programme centres and Research Design Services across the North East, North West, South East and South West of England, London and the Midlands.

PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen women and eight men, of whom, 14 were previous or current NIHR personal awardees (seven doctors and seven allied health professionals (AHPs) or nurses) and eight were managers (staff within clinical or university training-related roles).

RESULTS: (1) NIHR awards were viewed as transformative for research careers; (2) however, there were perceptions of a biased 'playing field'. (3) Inequalities were perceived for AHPs and nurses, those outside of established research institutes and those in 'unfashionable' specialisms. (4) While support for NIHR awards contributed to a healthy research culture, (5) short-term awards were perceived as a barrier to continuing an independent research career.

CONCLUSIONS: Participants perceived many strengths of the NIHR training programmes in terms of developing individual careers and research capacity. Areas in which improvement could enhance the ability to attract, develop and retain researcher were identified. Our findings are of relevance to schemes in other countries, where healthcare researchers experience similar challenges. Further work is needed to overcome barriers and ensure equity of access to, and success within, clinical research training schemes to sustain the research workforce needed to address future global health challenges.

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Keywords: education & training (see medical education & training); epidemiology; medical education & training

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: CM, PT and LAC are employed by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, JH was a member then Chair of a selection panel for NIHR Academy Fellowships between 2006 and 2014.

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