General orders for the embedded researcher: Moorings for a developing profession

Abstract

Learning health systems increasingly welcome embedded researchers as stakeholders poised to inform evidence-based practice. While care systems are potentially familiar with the embedded researcher tools and techniques, care systems may less frequently consider embedded research as a vocation. This insensitivity potentially reduces embedded researchers to mere instruments, as opposed to professional partners in transdisciplinary research. This discussion outlines "general orders" for embedded researchers. The general orders outline embedded researchers' fundamental identity and guide conduct to encourage a shared identity among embedded researchers and clarify embedded researchers' roles in learning health system teams.Students and embedded researchers newly engaging learning health systems may particularly benefit from this rudimentary order list.

Why the trial researcher matters: Day-to-day work viewed through the lens of normalization process theory

“…While it may not be usual to have weekly research team meetings within trials, the experiences of RAs in our study suggest it is a helpful resource. The low turnover of RAs during the study may have indicated the value they, and potentially others within the research team, placed on their role ( Hudson, 2021 ). Retention of RAs may be important as they have a crucial role in maintaining relationships with participants and effective collaborative relationships with participants.…”