Interns
- Kris Bailey
Job Title: Advanced Nurse Practitioner within the area of Ischaemic heart diseaseOrganisation: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT)
Why were you interested in research and this ARC internship?
I am a very self-motivated individual and repeatedly seek opportunities to develop myself both personally and professionally. I successfully completed my MSc in Advanced Practice whilst working full time to support a young family. It is the professional responsibilities that I have to my patients alongside my family that drive me to strive to be the best professional I can be. I am driven to provide the highest quality care underpinned by learning and evidence-based practice. It is My desire to deliver expert, evidence based care to the patient cohort that I provide care to that has lead me to explore career options that combine clinical and academic work.
I was successful in gaining a clinical research fellowship offered by the trust that I work for, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). This allowed me time away from clinical duties to develop a project that reflects my passion for developing new knowledge whilst Advancing Nursing Practice and contributing to the evidence base for the underrepresented patients with a diagnosis of NSTE-ACS. During this fellowship I was able to complete two clinical audits of the follow-up processes which were presented as posters at two local conferences.
It is my intention to undertake the ARC internship to allow me to progress this project further by developing a protocol and undertaking a mixed methods evidence synthesis alongside a formal research module in critical appraisal and evidence synthesis. I feel this would equip me with the knowledge and skills required to progress my research ambition. I hope to disseminate the results of the evidence synthesis through submission for presentation at local, national and potentially international cardiac nursing conferences and to cardiology journals with the aim of then developing an evidence based, nurse led follow-up intervention that could be proposed and tested as a PhD research project.
My future career plans are to combine clinical and academic work by achieving a post as a Consultant Nurse in Cardiology. Successfully achieving an ARC internship and undertaking a research project alongside a research module will assist me in achieving my long term aim to complete PhD level study in order to influence patient care and cardiology practice through the completion and dissemination of original research findings.
What has been the impact of the internship?
- I have been able to collaborate with a PPI (Patient and Public Involvment) group to strengthen my research study and ensure the patient voice is present throughout my study design. I now have a group of patients/public who are happy to assist in reviewing PES and get involved as my study progresses.
- I successfully completed the critical appraisal and evidence synthesis module with Level 7 credits. This will strengthen my NIHR application as it was an area highlighted to be developed in my first submission.
- I have successfully gained a promotion to Lead Nurse for Cardiovascular Services at the MRI. Being able to demonstrate the ability to secure ARC-GM support contributed to the promotion.
- I have developed a Prospero protocol which we are submitting to Prospero (a register of systematic reviews) and then will look at submission to British Medical Journal.
- I have been able to secure an NIHR/HEE (National Institute for Health Research/Health Education England) bridging fellowship (£10K grant) to further work on my CDRF (Clincal Doctoral Research Fellowship) application.
Poster(s)/ Presentation(s)
- ARC-GM Capacity Building Showcase October 2021: 'The journey of an ARC-GM Intern during a global pandemic'
- Anna Mackway-Jones
Job Title: Senior Sister, Emergency DepartmentOrganisation: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT)
Why were you interested in research and this ARC internship?
I am interested in undertaking a research internship for two reasons.
Firstly, I have found that since completing my Master’s I have developed a practical interest in evidence-based practice. I am happy that my skills in asking and answering questions in practice are reasonably well developed, but I have realised that I only have some of the skills needed to undertake my own research. The research internship seems an ideal opportunity to extend my research skillset to allow me a more active role in research.
Secondly I am at a crossroad in my career and I need to decide whether I am suited to a more formal career in research. The opportunity to observe and work with full-time academics will be invaluable in helping me decide my career direction.
I am driven to undertake quality improvement work and this often involves the implementation of research in practice. A good understanding of the mechanics of research will help me in this work.
What has been the impact of the internship?
- Since starting the internship my experience has confirmed my drive to develop the evidence base for emergency nursing. In particular I have been exposed to patient involvement in research and to the wider academic network in mental health. This has helped me develop a number of potential projects and collaborations.
- I found engaging with the materials available to me as a student on the qualitative research module of the MRes both challenging and interesting.
- I have been successful in applying for a secondment as Clinical Academic Matron.
Poster(s)/ Presentation(s)
- ARC-GM Capacity Building Showcase October 2021: 'Anna Mackway-Jones – a covid internship journey'
- Laura Perkin
Job Title: Mental Health Practitioner, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) serviceOrganisation: Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust (GMMH)
Why were you interested in research and this ARC internship?
I think that more can be done to embed research into practice ‘on the ground’ in services such as IAPT and hope to learn about and explore ways that this can be done within my service and my role.
I am interested in how research and evidence informs practice and in incorporating this into service culture. I have undertaken some small research projects academically and in services, so am hoping to build on my skills in doing some research in the service and thinking about ways that this can be incorporated into both the service and my role within it.
What has been the impact of the internship?
- I have successfully completed an MSc module ‘Managing Research in Health and Social Care’.
- I co-developed service user involvement and feedback group for the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) service in South Manchester.
- I co-established a research and journal club within the service to encourage discussion and development of research knowledge among clinical colleagues.
- I am leading on an initiative to look at client outcomes following engagement with a new service for clients with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
- I have been able to widen my professional network, establishing relationships with senior IAPT colleagues and researchers within the service.
- I am part of the research group exploring how to maximise service data collected for service improvement and research.
Poster(s)/ Presentation(s)
- ARC-GM Capacity Building Showcase October 2021: 'ARC Research Internship - Outcomes and Reflections'
- Connor Moran
Job Title: Senior Musculoskeletal PhysiotherapistOrganisation: Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University Foundation Trust (MFT)
Why were you interested in research and this ARC internship?
I am very keen to enhance my skills in the research field. I believe research is vital, particularly in the musculoskeletal/hand therapy area in which I currently work in, to evolve current practice and develop an up to date evidence-based service that can be utilised within the NHS to ultimately improve the efficiency of the treatment being provided to my patients. In addition to discovering more effective ways to treat patients and run services, research is also pivotal in ensuring the care currently being provided is the best possible care available. Therefore, completing this internship will not only enable me to improve the future services provided within MFT but also have short term beneficial effects on the services currently being delivered.
I also have a desire to study at master’s level and go on to produce original research in the form of a PhD. I believe that completing this internship will provide me with an excellent foundation to achieve these goals. Furthermore, the contacts that I will shadow and work alongside during this internship will have excellent potential for future collaborative research later in my career.
What has been the impact of the internship?
- I am completing the masters module in quantitative research module which has been very beneficial for the development of my analysis skills.
- I am completing a systematic review in the digital health them which is a great opportunity to develop my synthesis skills.
- I am collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University in the area of MSK (Musculoskeletal) adherence using an online tool.
- The internship has also positively impacted on my clinical practice – I have updated and expanded my knowledge of the evidence base to inform my practice, and shared my knowledge more widely within the team.
Poster(s)/ Presentation(s)
- ARC-GM Capacity Building Showcase October 2021: 'Connor Moran – Digital Health ARC Intern 2021'
- Deborah Ganderton
Job Title: Highly Specialist Speech and Language TherapistOrganisation: North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester University Foundation Trust (MFT)
Poster(s)/ Presentation(s)
ARC-GM Capacity Building Showcase October 2021: 'Swallowing outcomes following treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma'
- Elizabeth Walkden
Job Title: Senior Specialist Speech and Language TherapistOrganisation: Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University Foundation Trust (MFT)
Poster(s)/ Presentation(s)
ARC-GM Capacity Building Showcase October 2021: 'The impact of cardiothoracic surgery on swallow function in adults post-operatively?'
- Elizabeth Murphy
Job Title: MidwifeOrganisation: St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT)
Poster(s)/ Presentation(s)
ARC-GM Capacity Building Showcase October 2021: '2020/21 ARC-GM Capacity Building Showcase: My Internship Journey via Systematic Review'
Pre doc App - 2022
Applications for 2022 programme
Our Pre-doctoral Fellowship Programme is now open to applications.
We encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds within health and social care (excluding medicine and dentistry) to submit their applications by 23rd May 2022.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender, gender expression, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All awards are made on merit.
All applications must be submitted to arc-gm@nihr.ac.uk before 5pm on the 23rd May 2022.
Applications must also include letters of support, or signatures, from the applicant's line manager.
Applicants are strongly advised to have informal conversations with the team before submitting an application.
All supporting information about the programme and the application form can be downloaded from below: