New E-learning course | An introduction to Clinical Research and the role of research nurses in the NHS

Dr Ben Hood, Nurse Consultant / Cancer Research UK Senior Nurse at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust launches free E-learning course ‘An introduction to Clinical Research and the role of research nurses in the NHS’.

Dr Ben Hood

Project overview

In 2017, the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre’s national nurse steering group raised concerns about the recruitment of cancer research nurses. This led to the creation of a national pilot educational engagement project aimed at improving nursing students’ understanding of the role of cancer research nurses and clinical research in cancer settings, led by Dr Ben Hood.

On the inspiration behind the project, Dr Hood said: “There is a misconception that a cancer research nurse is an academic role and doesn’t involve seeing patients, which can subsequently make recruiting to these positions difficult. We found that nurses often fell into the role, without fully realising what it entailed.”

The project therefore aimed to address misconceptions around what the role of a cancer research nurse is and delivered education sessions to around 2,500 students in hospitals.

Following on from this work, seed corn funding was provided by Newcastle Health Research Partnership to develop a new online course that showcases the role of a research nurse and their care for patients participating in clinical trials, with all modules co-developed with student nurses.

The course will be rolled out in three phases:

• Phase one: Northumbria University, Sunderland University, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Phase two: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation
• Phase Three: CNTW Academy, Accredited Learning Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, North Bristol NHS Trust, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Cambridge Cancer Research Centre

Newcastle Health Research Partnership support

The Newcastle University E-Learning Team supported with costing the project which was then funded by Newcastle Health Research Partnership. Holly-Ann Jardine, Project Manager at Newcastle Health Research Partnership, came on board to drive the project forward.

Professor John Issacs, Chair of the NHRP Research Oversight Committee, said “I’m delighted that Newcastle Health Research Partnership was able to facilitate Ben’s study.  It is now well established that organisations that foster research demonstrate both better outcomes for their patients and improved job satisfaction for their staff.  But there remains a mystery around what research really is, which can deter staff from engaging.  Within this context, Ben’s course should further boost interest in the role of the research nurse, without whom research could not take place”.

If you would like more information about the course or to use it within your organisation please get in touch with Dr Hood – ben.hood@nhs.net