Evaluation confirms long-term positive impact of iCAhRE programme on UHCW staff

Evaluation of a bespoke initiative to transform healthcare professionals’ knowledge and use of research has confirmed its long-term positive impact.

The iCAhRE™ (Interdisciplinary Clinical Academic health Research Excellence) programme 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 programme, which is delivered by staff at UHCW and Coventry University, participants have been awarded research grants totalling £3.2 million and produced more than 230 publications.

The evaluation conducted by a team from Coventry University and the University of Nottingham, led by Dr Eleanor Lutman-White from the Centre for Healthcare and Communities, showed the iCAhRETM programme 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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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 programme 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 programme has had 59 staff gain Master's modules in research methodology and real-world clinical research experiences.”

Professor Jane Coad, Professor of Children and Family Nursing at the University of Nottingham, and Clinical Academic Lead for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional research at UHCW, added: “This evaluation is significant because it highlights that when organisations like UHCW invest in supporting clinical research careers, they don't just advance knowledge, learning and evidence-based care - they empower staff, impact on patient safety and ultimately help shape the future health and care.”