Editorial: Enhancing capacity and capability in research undertaken by midwives
Evidence Based Midwifery: September
2010
Key words: Research capability, collaborative research activity, research support, evidence-based midwifery
As clinical academic careers for midwives become better articulated and funded, then some of the more significant impediments that have stood in the way of research are breaking down. The need for sufficient capacity and capability has been well explored, but attention must be paid to how the growing workforce of researchers are supported.
There are some positive signs of change and development. In the UK, the new Academy for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Research was launched in 2009. It has modest, but important ambitions and has declared its mission to be: ‘An expert collaborative voice for all aspects of research involving nursing, midwifery and health visiting in the UK, including policy development, its implementation and evaluation through negotiation and dialogue with other key stakeholders’ (Academy for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Research, 2010).
The Academy has been established as a collaborative enterprise between midwifery, nursing and health visiting organisations, such as the RCM, RCN, and UNITE/Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association. This is the first time that such organisations have joined together in common purpose and is a measure of how positively they see the development of competent research.
The need for a collective voice on matters relating to research is immediate. The necessary policy infrastructure to shape clinical academic careers is now in place in the UK (UK Clinical Research Collaboration, 2007) and a requirement to develop mentorship schemes and expert support for those developing their clinical academic career is important. The combined expertise of the Academy’s collaborating organisations is powerful, as is their collective capacity to lobby for investment and change.
A re-emergence of clinical leadership as a force for innovation and improvement can also be seen across the UK and is particularly well highlighted by policy intentions from the recently elected UK government. A renewed purpose is beginning to emerge from that landscape, as well as renewed structures that will deliver research and development for health and social care. The Academy has a potentially unique part to play in shaping that landscape and can offer a strong platform of professional expertise in that it:
• Offers a UK perspective
• Can provide views from clinicians, practitioners, researchers, educators and those in the clinical arena
• Has strength through its multi-organisational composition
• Can help to articulate client/patient experiences of midwifery, nursing and health visiting research.
At its outset, the Academy developed three work streams – mentorship and leadership schemes for clinicians and practitioners in relation to their research activities; and a ‘case studies’ booklet of clinical academics who are midwives, nurses and health visitors demonstrating ‘model careers’.
The Academy has held an annual colloquium event since its inception and at its most recent event in March of this year further refined its work streams, including a strategy to secure funding to continue the Academy’s work. It is actively seeking such support for a senior academic appointment to join the team, as well as innovation fellowships.
Research leadership and capability is key for development:
• A ‘think tank’ was held in Manchester in June (jointly hosted by the Academy and Comprehensive Local Research Networks) to consider the career prospects of midwives and nurses working in clinical research centres. Our debate was assisted by the NMC and National Institute for Health Research
• In collaboration with the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, a series of lectures focusing on clinically-based research has been developed
• The Academy is seeking active engagement in the leadership development work of the Department of Health and the NHS Institute
• A Delphi survey of clinically-based senior midwives and nurses and those in academia was undertaken to develop a shortlist of research topics. Work is now underway to capture the views of service users
• A mentorship scheme for senior midwife and nurse leaders from the clinical arena and academia – initially funded by the Health Foundation – started in 2010 and will continue with funding from the Burdett Trust for a further three years
• The Academy is holding a second annual residential summit meeting for senior midwives, nurses and health visitors with the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.
The Academy is proving to be a powerful alliance. Our work streams offer support to those embarking on their research careers, as well as those further on in their career development. Midwifery has a significant part to play in the continuing work of the Academy. It has proved to be a powerful partner and there is, of course much more to do.
Our combination of research, scholarship and purposeful leadership must now stand a strong chance of making change for the better. Midwifery must not wait for permission to lead or act, it must continue to seize the initiative itself.
References
Academy of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Research. (2010) Who we are. See: www.researchacademy.co.uk (accessed 11 August 2010).
UK Clinical Research Collaboration. (2007) Developing the best research professionals. Qualified graduate nurses: recommendations for preparing and supporting clinical academic nurses of the future. UK Clinical Research Collaboration: London.
Tony Butterworth CBE
FMed Sci, FRCN, FRCPsych, FQNI, FRSA.
Chair of the Academy of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Research (UK) and Emeritus Professor of Healthcare Workforce Innovation.
