Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

Increasing haematology research for patient benefit through the development of trainee leaders in research: A UK initiative

7^th World Hematologists Congress

May 08-09, 2017 Barcelona, Spain

Eleana Loizou, T Nicholson, T Dutt and C H Toh

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Blood Disord Transfus

Abstract:

The aim of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) UK is to deliver best research for best health. In addition to funding research, clinical research networks also help to deliver studies on time and on target. There is ample evidence that shows involvement in research leads to improve patient outcomes but this opportunity is not always available, especially if haematology consultants with limited academic experience find the process daunting. To tackle this, a national initiative has been launched to develop regional trainee champions in research. This aims to address the inexperience by providing trainees with the relevant exposure to research. The trainees, in their turn, will be helping the NIHR key objectives such as developing the research portfolio further and increasing the number of participants recruited into studies. The aim is to recruit one registrar from each of the 15 regions in the UK to take up position of â??NIHR specialty trainee lead for haematology researchâ??. Trainees attend several meetings with members of the NIHR who have helped them develop an understanding of how things work, and relevant courses to develop into this role such as leadership and management courses. They can also deputise for their regional seniors at National haematology clinical research network meetings. With these new skills on board, the haematology trainee learns to set up clinical trials in their local hospital, acquire understanding of barriers to research and how to overcome them as well as develop engagement skills with industry sponsors and service managers. They are recruiting patients into haematology clinical trials currently but the role will expand in the future with the aim of to provide local education about clinical trials, contribute towards national audits and assist in setting up centers locally for national clinical audits. The role will be locally responsive within a national framework and mentoring together with peer-supported networking will be available to grow this cadre of future leaders in research delivery within the UK. This new role for haematology trainees will provide early exposure to clinical trials and the basic skills in research on which trainees can build upon. This will provide confidence for them as new consultants to not be afraid of taking on new clinical trials and expand on ideas they may have themselves, building research/trials portfolios and as a consequence help develop haematology through good trials and research. The early success of this initiative could extend to other specialties to expand patient involvement in research and also provide a model for other countries to develop haematology research.

Biography :

Eleana Loizou is a Hematology Trainee in the Mersey Deanery in England. She has recently completed the FRCpath Hematology Examination and she is now a member of the Royal College of Pathologists, UK as well as the Royal College of Physicians. She always had an interest in research right from the beginning of medical school and she has taken every such opportunity provided along the way. She is now the first Hematology Trainee in the Mersey Deanery to be involved in the NIHR’s specialty trainee lead for Hematology research.

Email: eleana.loizou@gmail.com