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What Research in Primary Care means to me: a Practice Nurse’s Perspective

By Kam Johal RGN, Nurse Practitioner, CoventryGP.com

My research journey

As a nurse working within the primary care setting I have been involved in health research for the last 15 years, starting when I was employed by the University of Warwick to coordinate the United Kingdom Asian Diabetes Study (UKADS). This large study, based in Birmingham and Coventry, was my first insight in to how such research can affect the care we deliver and how it impacts on our patients. When we consider research generally it will be in terms of trials and outcomes. However, even though I already had some understanding of the nature and scope of the work involved, I was still taken back by the many different roles and varied skill sets needed to successfully steer a research project from inception to conclusion.

The effects of research at practice level

When Eleanor the research nurse came into Broad Street to carry out clinical trials, this heralded an exciting new initiative which has enabled us to further develop our best practice and work towards improving health outcomes for patients in the future.

Being part of a practice that is research active is very rewarding, knowing that the outcomes of successful research projects have been shared, that this ever-increasing knowledge base contributes to a unified health outcome, and that this leads to the gold standard of

“Good Research Based Care"

To be part of clinical trials can pose a major challenge as it can be difficult for some groups of patients to understand either the importance of research or the long term impact it could have on their health needs. It is by explaining the advantages that we empower our patients to participate and potentially have a very positive effect on their health care outcomes. I feel very privileged to have undertaken such studies and be part of the bigger research picture in general practice today.

The lighter side of research

One of my ‘smiley’ moments was when a lady called and left a voice mail message about the UKADS study (which involved taking blood samples for genetic analysis). She said she was concerned that the blood sample taken from her husband could be cloned to make another one of him and she wouldn’t be able cope with two like him!

A Practice Nurse’s First Experience of Research: HEAT Study

By Michelle Wheate, RGN/DipHE

Practice Nurse, Churchfields Surgery

Even though I had assisted with other studies at the surgery, this was the first research I had ever undertaken on my own.

I was initially a little worried about the study and the paperwork involved; however it was not as much as I feared and the support given by Elaine, our CRN research nurse, and Rachel from the HEAT study team, was fantastic, they answered any question or concern no matter how trivial.

The study was done in my own time at the surgery and involved an initial 45-60 minute appointment with the patient, asking some questions to ensure they matched the study criteria, obtaining a breath sample and following it up with some observations: BMI, blood pressure etc.

This was all documented and also added to the ‘HEAT tool kit’ so the team could access the results. The patient and I both received notification of the breath test result and, if positive, I followed up by calling the patient to see if they had started the treatment and whether they were experiencing any side effects or problems. This information was then forwarded to Rachel.

I found it to be really good ‘starter’ research, the knowledge gained was of great value and, as incidental benefits, the extra money helps and it looks good on your CV!

The experience of participating in this research study, together with receiving study specific training, has boosted my confidence in being able to tackle further research projects, and I now look forward to the next one.