Research Skills in Healthcare Science

Module details

Title

Research Skills in Healthcare Science

Type

Core

Module code

S-C2

Credits

10

Phase

2

Requirement

Compulsory

Aim of this module

This module will prepare trainees to undertake their own project to contribute to the improvement of patient care. On completion of this module trainees will be equipped with knowledge of research, service evaluation and audit. Trainees will appreciate the lifecycle of a project and the methodology required, including qualitative and quantitative research methods, ethical considerations, sharing results and the importance of public and patient involvement. Trainees will also have an awareness of the research environment within the NHS and wider healthcare environment.

Training activities

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:

1. Critically compare and contrast research approaches and methodologies within the framework of UK healthcare research ethics and governance (including public and patient involvement) across the lifecycle of a research project.
2. Evaluate the role of evidence-based practice in healthcare, including the role of current statutory and advisory regulatory bodies.
3. Critically appraise and interpret the literature and evidence base, including the use of study reporting guidelines.

Indicative content

Research Planning Process

• Research Philosophy:
  • Identification and framing of a clinical research question: What is the research question?
• Research project lifecycle.
• Managing a project:
  • Time management.
  • Risk.
• Application of research to clinical practice:
  • Evidence based practice.
  • Translation of research to clinical practice.
• Research planning and proposal including how to incorporate peer review and expert advice.
• Importance and impact of patient and public involvement throughout the research process.
• Identifying a project as research, service improvement or audit.
• Awareness of:
  • Standards for PPI involvement.
  • Patient participation vs patient involvement.
  • Delivery of clinical trials within the NHS.

Research in the NHS and wider healthcare community

• Awareness of:
  • How research is carried out in the NHS.
  • Collaborative research with partners inside and outside the NHS.
  • Horizon scanning.
  • Drivers for research.
  • Costing and budgeting.
  • Research funding.

Research Governance and Ethics

• The importance and role of ethics in research, including generating ethical research questions.
• Patient consent and safety.
• Good Clinical Practice.
• Data protection, confidentiality, and Caldicott principles.
• Awareness of:
  • Where approval is required and routes to approval.
  • Study sponsorship, including responsibility and roles.

Research Aims and Objectives

• Literature review.
• Critical appraisal.
• Hypothesis generation.
• Awareness of systematic review methodologies.

Research Methodology

• Study design, including selecting appropriate methodology
• Qualitative approaches:
  • Grounded theory approach.
  • Thematic.
  • Ethnography.

Research Data

• Data access and sources.
• Data management.
• Data quality.
• Information governance.
• Qualitative and quantitative relationship.
• Limitations of data.
• Critical appraisal.
• Method selection.
• Awareness of:
  • Sources of data.
  • The validation process.

Research Statistics

• Basic statistical tests:
  • Sample size and power.
  • ROC.
  • Bland Altman.
  • T Tests.
  • Para/nonparametric.
• Statistical and clinical significance.
• Error and distribution of data.
• Clinical specificity and sensitivity.
• PPV/NPV and prevalence.
• Incidence and outcomes.

Critical Analysis

• Reporting guidelines and best practice.
• Critical appraisal tools.

Scientific Research Communication

• Scientific communication skills, including communicating appropriately for the audience including lay.
• Channels for dissemination.
• Publication etiquette.
• Scientific writing:
  • Referencing.
  • Writing a peer review paper/article.
  • Identifying information to publish.

Innovation

• Awareness of:
  • Innovation pathway.
• Intellectual property.