The iCAhRE (Interdisciplinary Clinical Academic health Research Excellence) program helps staff at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust to learn about research and use it to further improve patient care.
Since completing the program, which is delivered by staff at UHCW and Coventry University, participants have been awarded research grants totaling £3.2 million and produced more than 230 publications.
The study conducted by a team from Coventry University and Professor Joan Coad from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham, led by Dr. Eleanor Lutman-White from Coventry University’s Research Center for Healthcare and Communities, showed the iCAhRETM program significantly enhanced participants’ research knowledge and skills, as well as informing and changing clinical practice, building staff confidence, increasing engagement in research-related activities and supporting career progression.
Dr. Lutman-White said, “Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals and Healthcare Scientists form the majority of the clinical workforce providing care to patients but have fewer opportunities to engage in research compared to medical staff.
“This evaluation has underlined the vital importance of providing opportunities to develop research knowledge and skills to these health care professionals.”
Part of UHCW’s Research for All strategy, this collaborative initiative reflects the Trust’s commitment to fostering a culture of research across all health care professions with the aim of ultimately contributing to improved patient care and outcomes.
Nicolas Aldridge, Head of Research Delivery and Impact at UHCW, said, “We receive very positive feedback on the iCAhRE program from our staff, many of whom go on to build research careers, and it is great to see this backed up by a formal evaluation.
“With cohort nine currently running, the iCAhRE Bronze program has had 59 staff gain Master’s modules in research methodology and real-world clinical research experiences.”
The study is published in the journal BMC Medical Education.
More information
Eleanor Lutman-White et al, A mixed methods evaluation of a facilitated research career pathway for nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and healthcare scientists working in the NHS, BMC Medical Education (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12909-025-07982-2
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