Research Practice Experience
| Module title | Research Practice Experience |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM151Z |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Kerry Gilbert (Convenor) Dr Amanda Wallace (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 4 | 12 | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 46 |
|---|
Module description
This is a fully online module.
During this module you will draw upon the theoretical learning from modules 1 and 2 through engaging in an active clinical research project. Paired with an experienced clinical research supervisor, you will shadow to develop expertise, before taking on specific delegated tasks as part of the project team. You will meet regularly with your supervisor to determine your ongoing learning, plan the tasks needed to demonstrate your capabilities and prepare to take on increasing responsibilities. As you progress, you will reflect on your learning both in discussion with your supervisor and through written reflection, which you will apply in practice.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to develop your capability and confidence as an experienced clinician, with the ultimate aim of supporting you to discharge the duties of a co- or sub-investigator in a clinical research study. Your duties will be protocol specific and contextual to the clinical research in your health / care setting. It is not anticipated that you will have necessarily had experience of all these duties by the end of the RPE module, but it is expected that you will have developed capability towards meeting the module outcomes. It is anticipated that you will spend time working in a clinical research environment developing your leadership skills alongside formal module learning to underpin and support clinical leadership practice.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Comprehensively and systematically understand the clinical research ecosystem, including the importance, value and diversity of clinical research in health / care, the importance and value of networked clinical research and the culture and landscape of research.
- 2. Demonstrate an applied understanding of the data collection process within the framework of networked clinical research studies.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Comprehensively understand research and development in terms of how it is organised into institutional and departmental structures and cross-institutional networks, including the roles and responsibilities of key personnel within each.
- 4. Understand the need for public and patient engagement and involvement (PPIE) in research how this influences the design and conduct of studies and prioritises research questions that need to be answered.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Critically evaluate your research practice experience and identify the knowledge and transferrable practices that you will take forward to subsequent research projects.
- 6. Reflect critically on the nature of the contributions made by specific individuals and organisations to the research project in which you are involved.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
The RPE is structured around two high level learning outcomes, which are presented below as Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) that you will be expected to demonstrate on completion. CiPs are based on the format of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs).
(Module core content)
CiP1: To develop an in-depth understanding of the clinical research ecosystem
a. The importance, value, and diversity of clinical research in healthcare.
b. The importance and value of networked clinical research.
c. The culture and landscape of research.
d. How does clinical research work?
e. Who are the key personages in research (to include the roles and responsibilities of a sponsor, Chief, Principal and Sub- or Co- Investigator; Back up Physician; Blinded / Masked Physician or Assessor; the role of HRA / MHRA in approving studies, other regulatory agencies)?
f. Key teams who may be external to the core research team but are critical to the delivery of clinical research.
g. Research and Development departments (or their equivalent): how do they operate? How do they fit into the hospital structure?
h. Research Networks (e.g. CRNs, research networks of major charities, professional body research networks or equivalent research networks): what can the network support? How do you navigate the system to secure the support you need?
i. Public and patient engagement and involvement (PPIE) in research – how this influences the design and conduct of studies and prioritises research questions that need to be answered.
j. Study feasibility
CiP2: To manage the steps involved in data collection within a networked clinical research study
You are unlikely to complete all tasks in CiP2; your ability to complete specific tasks will be context and study dependent. What matters is that your supervisor can confidently entrust you to manage the steps involved in data collection within a networked clinical research study (under the supervision of a PI).
a. Checking it is appropriate for you to contribute to clinical research study.
b. Site initiation and selection
c. Recruitment strategy
d. Sampling (people, activities, records, time periods, etc) for this networked clinical research study
e. Screening participants for studies.
f. Recruiting participants.
g. Informed consent process, including receiving consent in studies that include participants that lack capacity and managing consent for online studies.
h. Taking patients through pathways.
i. Taking participants through the various study milestones.
j. Trial Treatments, where applicable (to include preventative treatments, surgery, radiotherapy, and other interventions).
k. Recording data and checking for accuracy.
l. Research Specific Audits and monitoring.
m. Safety reporting (initial and follow up).
n. Closing a study, and the Principal Investigator’s role within that part of the process.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | N/A |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 12 | Synchronous online group tutorials with other students on the module and the module lead: Setting out module expectations at the beginning, collectively reviewing progress against the ILOs and problem-solving along the way, and then reflecting on the process at the end. |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 10 | Synchronous online / in-person one-to-one supervision sessions with supervisor(s): Exploring context-specific expectations of the student, supervisor and other key stakeholders; agreeing project-specific activities and reviewing progress against the ILOs / CiPs in the syllabus plan; reviewing progress towards the formative and summative assessment. |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Asynchronous in-person / online engagement with the delivery of research projects: This will be determined by discussion with your supervisor and mapped to the CiPs outlined in the Syllabus plan. |
| Guided Independent Study | 28 | Asynchronous. Module pre-reading and video watching; scheduled online activities (such as engaging with NIHR Learn) |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Guidance on reflective writing and other study skills; work towards the formative and summative assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in student online discussion boards, | Short contribution to the online forum 300-words | 1, 3, 4, 5 | Peer and tutor interaction on the online forum |
| Reflective writing task | Written critical reflection 500-words | 5, 6, | Verbal feedback from supervisor(s), during a supervision session, with option to refer for study skill support |
| Review of portfolio entries | Portfolio of evidence extract 1000-words | 1-6 | Written/verbal peer feedback, outlining areas of strength and those needing development |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervisor-Student Agreement | 0 | 2 page A4 agreement (see handbook pp 13-14) | 1 and 2 | None required |
| Reflection on the Portfolio of Evidence compiled throughout the module. | 50 | 2000-word | ALL | Written |
| Portfolio of Evidence of Clinical Research Practice Experience | 50 | 6-months records of experiences | ALL | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervisor-Student Agreement (0%) | 2 page A4 agreement (see handbook pp 13-14) | 1 and 2 | Typically within 6 weeks of the result |
| Reflection on the Portfolio of Evidence . (50%) | Reflection on the Portfolio of Evidence 2000-word | All | Typically, within 12 weeks of the result. |
| Portfolio of Evidence of Clinical Research Practice Experience (50%) | Portfolio of Evidence of Clinical Research Practice Experience | All | Typically, within 12 weeks of the result. |
Re-assessment notes
As the portfolio is generated over 50 h of clinical experiences and the 2000-word reflection relates directly to the portfolio, the re-assessment timings will need to be determined by agreement between the student, supervisor, academic tutor and module lead(s). It should be possible to resubmit 12 weeks after the initial result in most cases.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Aarons, G. A., M. G. Ehrhart, L. R. Farahnak and M. Sklar (2014). "Aligning leadership across systems and organizations to develop a strategic climate for evidence-based practice implementation." Annu Rev Public Health 35: 255-274.
- Barr, J. & Dowding, L. (2016) Leadership in health care. 3rd edition. London: Sage
- Chaudoir, S. R., L. G. Dugan and C. H. I. Barr (2013). "Systematic review factors affecting implementation of health innovations: a systematic review of structural, organizational, provider, patient, and innovation level measures." Implement Sci 8(22).
- Christensen, C.M, Bohmer, R. & Kenagy, J. (2000) Will disruptive innovations cure health care? Harvard Business Review Sept 103-111
- Dale, B., Van der Wiele,T., & Van Iwaarden, J. (2007) Managing Quality 5th ed FT/Prentice Hall
- Francis, R (2013) Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry Executive summary London: The Stationery Office
- Gopee, N. & Galloway, J. (2014) Leadership & management in healthcare. 2nd edition. London: Sage
- Jacobs, S. R., B. J. Weiner and A. C. Bunger (2014). "Context matters: measuring implementation climate among individuals and groups." Implement Sci 9: 46.
- Kotter, J.P (1995) Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review March 59-67
- Kotter, J.P (1999) What Leaders Really Do. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Books
- Monitor (2013) Closing the NHS funding gap: how to get better value health care for patients https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284044/ClosingTheGap091013.pdf
- Hawe, P. 2015. Lessons from complex interventions to improve health. Annu Rev Public Health, 36, 307-23.
- Hooper, A. & Potter, J. (2000) Intelligent Leadership. London: Random House Business Books
- Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., and Johnston R. (2011) Essentials of Operations Management, FT Prentice Hall.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE:
- Module ELE Page (https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=13713)
- CMH Postgraduate Programmes FAQs page (https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=7584)
- Master’s Level Learning Induction Course (https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=7584§ion=1)
- Library:
- Medicine LibGuides (https://libguides.exeter.ac.uk/MedicineHomePage)
- NIHR Learn – sign up with your Exeter email (https://www.nihr.ac.uk/health-and-care-professionals/learning-and-support/)
- Introduction to Research: https://learn.nihr.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=459
- Next Steps in Research: https://learn.nihr.ac.uk/enrol/index.php?id=682
- Getting into Research – Primary Care: https://learn.nihr.ac.uk/enrol/index.php?id=938
- Research Delivery e-learning Modules: https://learn.nihr.ac.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=9555
- Health Education England e-learning - Sign up with your Exeter email: https://populationwellbeingportal.e-lfh.org.uk/login
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Recorded lectures
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | HPDM149Z and HPDM150Z |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 21/10/2021 |
| Last revision date | 18/09/2023 |
