My Journey into Research and Clinical Practice: A Pharmacist’s Perspective

By Kayleigh Davison, Newcastle University and Lead Advanced Pharmacist Practitioner at Horden Group Practice.

I’ve recently become the only pharmacist to be awarded a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) In-Practice Fellowship, which I’ll be balancing alongside my clinical work and a new post at Newcastle University.

The fellowship is designed for health and care professionals in primary care settings and feels like the next step I’ve been working towards, as it lets me grow as a researcher while continuing my commitment to patient care.

What This Fellowship Means to Me

The NIHR In-Practice Fellowship is an incredible opportunity that will allow me to develop as a researcher without stepping away from my clinical work. I’ve spent my career so far shaping a role for pharmacists within general practice. I started working in general practice as part of the NHS pilot for Clinical pharmacists in general practice and now work as an Advanced Pharmacist Practitioner supervising a pharmacy team in General Practice. This fellowship is a chance to combine the two aspects of my work—clinical practice and research—to help improve primary care. It’s vital for our healthcare system to keep evolving through research so that we can provide safe, effective care for patients.

What My Research Is All About

My research focuses on polypharmacy (when patients are prescribed multiple medications) and health literacy. Health literacy is basically how well someone can understand and use health information to make decisions. Shockingly, 61% of adults struggle with understanding basic health information. For those on many medications, this can make managing their treatments much harder. But the connection between polypharmacy and health literacy hasn’t been thoroughly explored in the literature yet. My aim is to shed some light on this issue and find ways to better support patients who may find complex medication regimens challenging.

Why I’m Passionate About This Research

Working in general practice, I’ve seen firsthand how polypharmacy can impact patients. Some of my patients take more than 20 medications daily, which requires careful management and a lot of understanding. I regularly meet patients in clinic who have been on a high number of medications for years. I’ve seen how hard it can be for them, especially if they’re uncertain about their medications or have limited health literacy. My hope is that this research will help us find better ways to support them, making their healthcare journeys easier and more effective.

The Role of Newcastle Health Research Partnership (NHIP) Academy in My Journey

I couldn’t have reached this point without support from NHIP Academy. From explaining the different fellowship options to giving me feedback on drafts, the academy was there every step of the way. They connected me with other professionals for networking and mentorship, which has been invaluable as the first pharmacist to take on this fellowship. Now that I’m moving into the world of clinical academia, NHIP’s support continues to be a huge part of my journey, and I’m very grateful for it.

This fellowship represents an exciting opportunity for me to bridge clinical practice and research, empowering patients to understand and manage their health with greater confidence.