Co-authors: Anita McGrogan, Christina Hughes
Research is crucial to improving the quality of care we offer our patients and is a core pillar of practice standards at post-registration, advanced and consultant levels. But often, research is perceived as something which is only conducted in academic institutions or by very senior clinical practitioners.
On the contrary, research can be conducted within your own practice, and all practitioners have valuable experience, expertise and knowledge which can inform research ideas and projects.
The South West Pharmacy Research Network
In the South West of England, a research network was established to act as a catalyst to link people, ideas, expertise and institutions with research capability across the region with the aim of increasing pharmacy research activity.
The South West Pharmacy Research Network (SWPRN) was established in 2022 and now has over 200 members. It publishes a monthly newsletter, hosts a regular Teams meeting for questions and to disseminate information, runs an online journal club and delivers regular webinars.
The network also launched a successful Innovation Day in 2023 that showcased people’s research journeys and delivered sessions on how to disseminate research (including audit and service improvement), how to plan a project, and strategies for networking and collaboration which were created and facilitated by members of the network.
Many participants demonstrated a lack of confidence in their own expertise and knowledge of research.
As part of the Innovation Day participants were asked what they felt were barriers to becoming involved in research. Despite having valuable experience and knowledge, many participants drew attention to the practicalities of engaging in research in terms of time management and employer support, and also demonstrated a lack of confidence in their own expertise and knowledge of research.
As a result, a Coaching Masterclass, funded by the Research England Enhancing Research Culture Fund through the University of Bath, was co-created by Professor Christina Hughes of Women-Space and colleagues in the region. The masterclass was designed to encourage participants to recognise the barriers holding them back, to build new habits and to consider approaches to enable progress with research interests.
The one day masterclass was followed up with individual coaching meetings between participants and Professor Hughes.
What is coaching?
Coaching is a powerful aid for personal growth. It supports individuals to improve their outcomes, realise goals and develop personal understanding and insight, often into those issues that are holding them back. It is a very personalised form of support, and many people come to coaching when they are feeling ‘stuck’ or are at a transition point. Coaching unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination and productivity and is a valuable tool for supporting individuals, including progressing their research in the context of busy lives.
Engaging in coaching can vary from a single one-to-one session to a series of meetings spread over a few months. This is because the nature of this engagement is dependent on the person and their needs. The individual brings to each coaching session an issue or concern and, because coaching is action based, they leave with a stronger insight into how to take things forward.
Group coaching can be more cost effective and offers the chance to learn from others’ experiences. Clearly, however, it cannot provide the personal attention that individual coaching can.
How did coaching help pharmacy practitioners to engage in research?
Feedback received from those taking part in the Coaching Masterclass was overwhelmingly positive with the majority of people feeling more empowered and resourceful, and having developed a new perspective on how to tackle research challenges.
Comments included:
“This day was just what I needed for my career and research journey”
“Informative, useful and inspiring”
“The way this workshop was delivered was a game-changer – consolidating ideas I had read about and putting them into context.”
So, if you are uncertain where to start or how to get your research ideas off the ground, join the SWPRN and connect with colleagues on a similar journey.
Where can I get more information?
You can find out more about coaching via the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Their website contains a wealth of advice on what to bear in mind when looking for a coach, together with resources that will enable you to learn more about how coaching can transform your life.
To find out more about Professor Christina Hughes and the experience, support, resources and community that she provides, go to www.women-space.co.uk or email christina@women-space.co.uk.
You can find out more about The South West Pharmacy Research Network here.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the UKCPA or its members. We encourage readers to follow links and references to primary research papers and guidance.
Competing interest statement:
The author declares: The project received funding from Research England Enhancing Research Culture funding; no financial relationships with any organisations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
