Training the next generation of clinical researchers: evaluation of a graduate podiatrist research internship in rheumatology

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Arthritis Research UK funded graduate internship scheme for podiatrists and to explore the experiences of interns and mentors.MethodsNine new graduates completed the internship programme (July 2006–June 2010); six interns and two mentors participated in this study. The study was conducted in three phases. Phase 1: quantitative survey of career and research outcomes for interns. Phase 2 and 3: qualitative asynchronous interviews through email to explore the experiences of interns and mentors. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) of coded transcripts identified recurring themes.ResultsResearch outputs included ten peer reviewed publications with authorial contributions from interns, 23 conference abstract presentations and one subsequent ‘Jewel in the Crown’ award at the British Society for Rheumatology Conference. Career progression includes two National Institute for Health research (NIHR) PhD fellowships, two Arthritis Research UK PhD fellowships, one NIHR Master of Research fellowship and one specialist rheumatology clinical post. Two interns are members of NIHR and professional body committees.Seven important themes arose from the qualitative phases: perceptions of the internship pre-application; internship values; maximising personal and professional development; psychosocial components of the internship; the role of mentoring and networking; access to research career pathways; perceptions of future developments for the internship programme. The role of mentorship and the peer support network have had benefits that have persisted beyond the formal period of the scheme.ConclusionsThe internship model appears to have been perceived to have been valuable to the interns’ careers and may have contributed significantly to the broader building of capacity in clinical research in foot and ankle rheumatology. We believe the model has potential to be transferable across health disciplines and on national and international scales.

The value of the Versus Arthritis, Nurse and Allied Health Professional Internship Scheme on early musculoskeletal career researchers: a short report from an intern's perspective

“…This in turn fosters evidence‐based practice and helps facilitate the nurse and AHP MSK researchers of the future. This model has the potential to be transferable across health disciplines to enable more early‐career clinicians to become research active (Naidoo, Bowen, Arden, & Redmond, ).…”

Building research capacity in musculoskeletal health: qualitative evaluation of a graduate Nurse and Allied Health Professional internship programme

“…Clough et al [17] reported that supporting early career clinical and research training through fellowships increased the likelihood of securing externally funded doctoral training awards with many fellowship-holders moving into academic roles. Naidoo et al [15] similarly found in their evaluation of a graduate podiatry internship (which was the forerunner of the 2015 -18 programme), that the programme was valuable to the interns' careers and supported research capacity building in foot and ankle rheumatology. They also identi ed the importance of mentors and peer support, and the impact the internship had on changing perceptions of research [15].…”

“…Naidoo et al [15] similarly found in their evaluation of a graduate podiatry internship (which was the forerunner of the 2015 -18 programme), that the programme was valuable to the interns' careers and supported research capacity building in foot and ankle rheumatology. They also identi ed the importance of mentors and peer support, and the impact the internship had on changing perceptions of research [15]. More broadly, our evaluation re ects the core principles for research capacity building identi ed in the wider internship literature, namely the importance of developing skills and con dence, fostering partnerships and collaborations, and valuing research for excellence [3,27].…”

“…The potential loss of nuanced data was minimised through the use of acronyms, abbreviations, emoticons and textual emphases. Interviews were conducted using a question schedule informed, in part, by the evaluation of an earlier programme [15]. (See Additional le).…”

“…Each intern was given a £1000 stipend for living expenses and funding for travel and accommodation for attendance at training days hosted by the partner HEI's and the British Society of Rheumatology annual conference. The structure of the internship was informed by an earlier programme for podiatrists, which ran from 2006 -2010 [15].…”