Increasing research capacity in an academically isolated mental health trust.
Involvement in clinical mental health research can be a challenge for services isolated from academic institutions, limiting opportunities for patients to receive innovative interventions and for clinicians to explore interest in research. We aimed to increase mental health research capacity in Somerset NHS Foundation Trust via a range of initiatives from collaboration between a senior clinician and research and development colleagues.
Over the course of the project, the number of participants recruited to National Institute for Health and Care Research-adopted mental health and dementia research projects quadrupled over a 2-year period, from 57 to 232, and the number of projects hosted rose from 9 to 23. A total of 165 clinicians signed up to receive information about ongoing studies.
We found considerable appetite for becoming involved in research among mental health clinicians, and were able to provide opportunities for research experience as well as access to innovative studies for local patients.
Over the course of the project, the number of participants recruited to National Institute for Health and Care Research-adopted mental health and dementia research projects quadrupled over a 2-year period, from 57 to 232, and the number of projects hosted rose from 9 to 23. A total of 165 clinicians signed up to receive information about ongoing studies.
We found considerable appetite for becoming involved in research among mental health clinicians, and were able to provide opportunities for research experience as well as access to innovative studies for local patients.