Occupational Therapy News OTnews February 2020 | Page 27

‘‘ RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FEATURE Initially my response to this gap was to apply for an NIHR funded MRes. I proceeded with begin considering the things that may anxiety, but with a conviction that if this was be of benefit, such as apps on smart not meant for me, then who is it meant for? phones to support people living with Undertaking the research over the As I have begun dementia. As the ideas grew, I realised last two years has been incredible; walking this clinical I needed support and funding to challenging, rewarding and highly academic journey, I have take these ideas forward, and it developmental. There have been was at this point that I also realised moments of wondering whether I come to see that this is an that I was developing something am capable, but much the same as organic, ever changing, without the important collaboration in clinical practice, when the tough developmental of people living with dementia. days come, the questioning led me to The driving force so far was only remember the purpose of all of this – the process. what I had observed in practice. Valid people who would be most impacted by though it may be to have a clinical, expert the work. perspective, I was ignorant entirely as to the The opportunities of the last three years have academic perspective, and whether my ideas were dispelled the sense of a clinical (front line) versus innovative. academia (ivory tower) in my mind, and whilst there is a long way to go for equal opportunities for AHPs in research, the message is Growing momentum This realisation triggered a new level of inquiry. I began setting up meetings with key people within the local university and within the trust I worked for. I booked a training session with a librarian to learn how to search databases for relevant published evidence. I was dismayed to find so little research on the experiences of living with young onset dementia, and noticed that the research that did exist tended to be from the perspectives of carers or professionals. The clinical gap in terms of person centred, relevant support for younger people living with dementia that I had witnessed seemed to be echoed within research too. The importance of placing these people at the centre of my research, began to gain momentum. Taking the opportunity The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Health Education England’s (HEE) Masters by Scientific Research (MRes) opportunity came to my attention through an internal advert from the research department within the trust. Reflexively, I can see that I was now more likely to notice opportunities such as these, since I was now beginning to identify myself as an investigator, perhaps even an aspiring clinical academic. I had a sense that because I had seen the gap that it was my duty of care explore it, just as much as it would be if I spotted a need within the context of client intervention. Much like in my clinical practice, where I am an agent to empower clients for their voice to be heard, I felt committed to do the same within the research world. While I felt like a novice, I was able to draw on my early career experiences of entering the clinical world for the first time. What drove me forward then to overcome my inexperience and the sense of being an imposter was the same now, to improve the lives of people for whom I worked. With support through the Bridging Internship Programme, led by the health trust and a local university, I gained the courage to clear that these two aspects of practice (clinical and research) not only can co-exist, but should. Moving forward As I have begun walking this clinical academic journey, I have come to see that this is an organic, ever changing, developmental process. It is a journey that is helping me to see that without commitment in clinical practice from clinicians who are also trained in and committed to quality research then the agenda for research will not be guided by clinical needs. This in turn improves the centrality of the voice of clients within research, impacting its adoption and translation into practice. Being a clinical academic provides the platform for both of these valuable interfaces and I am certain now that this is my meaningful occupation. Personally, this journey has led me to appreciate the value of the implementation of theory and high-quality evidence into practice in a way I did not before. I believe my practice will be enhanced as a result of this process and I look forward to implementing all I have learnt for the benefit of those I work with. Moving forward from here I am much more aware of the opportunities available to continue a clinical academic career. I am currently applying for grants to further the research while developing impact opportunities within the clinical area, to ensure evidence informs our practice. Nicola McGarvey, occupational therapist, NIHR/ HEE MRes postgraduate student, Coventry University. Email: [email protected]. For more information on NIHR visit: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/ OTnews February 2020 27