The Allied Health Professions Research Network (AHPRN) is a UK-wide body designed to bring together clinicians, researchers, academic staff and other interested parties from all of the allied health professions (AHP) to explore different issues in research, including: practical challenges in research, methodological questions, grant funding, research career development, and many other areas. You can find your nearest hub by going to their website: www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/research/networking/allied-health-professions-research-network or alternatively, type AHPRN in a search engine and follow the links.
The College of Paramedics is a member of this network and the Research and Development Advisory Committee (RDAC) is starting to receive reports from members around the UK, highlighting that links with the AHPRN are starting to grow and strengthen, which is good news. At the same time, there have been a couple of comments that the AHPRN appears more geared up to physiotherapists rather than other AHPs. This article provides an opportunity to put that into context and hopefully encourage you to engage with your local AHPRN hub, as they are very keen to hear from members of the College of Paramedics. So what is the history of the development of the AHPRN?
Professor Ann Moore, Chair of the AHPRN, explains:
‘The AHPRN is a development of the National Physiotherapy Research Network which was developed in 2004, and officially launched in 2005 following a call for proposals from the (CSP) for a research champion. We developed 20 research hubs across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Over the years, the activities in these hubs have attracted a large number of other allied health professions to the hub events, and it seemed sensible to the core executive to change the name of the network in order to truly represent what is happening in practice in these hubs, and recognise the desire, need and opportunities for cross-disciplinary working in research and evidence-based practice. With this new development of the AHPRN, our research activities will/can become more integrated and there will be more sharing of methodological expertise and an increase in the critical mass of researchers working together to succeed together, without the loss of professional identity.’
Physiotherapy has a strong history of research and this decision to open up such a valuable resource to a wider audience was welcomed by other AHPs who needed to develop research capability and capacity to move their own professions forward. So, on 7 June 2011, the Allied Health Professions Research Network was launched with a firm commitment to sharing research expertise and knowledge within multi-professional groups in a supportive environment.
The College of Paramedics needs its members to work alongside other members of the AHPRN to represent the profession, as well as the College of Paramedics. The paramedic profession has so much to offer AHP research and we need paramedics to get that message across and to promote paramedic research activity at all different levels in a variety of institutions and organisations. Currently, paramedics are under-represented in the regional hubs and that can only change if you are willing to do something about it. Here are two case studies that illustrate the growing activity of College of Paramedics members within the AHPRN. They give you a flavour of what you can expect if you decide to get involved in your regional Hubs.
Graham McClelland, a research paramedic from the NEAS reports that the AHPRN has become a useful contact for paramedics in the north east. Graham receives regular information from the AHPRN covering a wide variety of research opportunities, some of which are relevant to paramedic practice. The AHPRN hub in the north east is primarily physiotherapist led, which again reflects the historical development of this network, but greater input and interaction from paramedics and the other AHPs has been welcomed and is starting to influence the hub's activities. One of the opportunities that Graham has been able to take advantage of locally is the funding available to support small multi-disciplinary research projects which has led to a collaboration between paramedics and sonographers. Graham believes that involvement in this type of organisation can only benefit paramedics as a profession in the long term, as their presence raises the profile of the profession, leads to greater understanding of the paramedic's role in the wider healthcare setting, and gives paramedics access to opportunities and support from outside their normal working contacts. Graham considers that there are lessons that can be learnt from other AHPs in developing paramedic research capability and that the AHPRN provides a good forum for doing that.
At the other end of the country, Maria Robinson, the research facilitator for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), describes how they have been involved with the development of the south west hub of the AHPRN since February 2013. There are currently three hub facilitators within SWASFT. These act as a point of contact for local researchers requiring contacts, or for those within the service wanting to become involved in research or to increase their awareness of local events and other opportunities. The south west hub of the AHPRN, with an extended membership, was re-launched on 9 September 2013. The re-launch event was well attended by a good mix of individuals representing most of the professions that make up the network. On the day, there were presentations from experienced researchers in the region, as well as workshops covering topics such as: the Research Design Service (RDS)—its purpose and role; evidence-based practice/practice-based evidence—some considerations for clinicians and practitioners when applying this to their own practice; literature searching—hints and tips for busy clinicians and applying for grants; and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)—an overview of the landscape and the scope of the various awards.
The event demonstrated that there is much AHP research experience and expertise within the region and that the development of this is at different stages across the various professions. From the ambulance service perspective, there has historically been little activity or exposure. This picture is changing, with increased focus and participation in the last 15 years. Developing the necessary capabilities is one of the key components necessary for the growth of the research agenda and adoption of evidence-based health care. Membership of the AHPRN represents an opportunity to tap into this wealth of expertise and in this way can increase research capability by improving the knowledge and skills level of staff.
Following on from the re-launch event, the hub leaders in the south west have conducted a local ‘needs analysis’ survey, which sought the views of those with an interest in research/evidence. The results of this will be used to shape the future activities and priorities for hub activities. The facilitators within the SWASFT, as part of the hub, will contribute to the planning activities that take forward initiatives identified as most likely to be useful. By being involved in the planning of future activities, it is hoped that the SWASFT will benefit from membership of the AHPRN on an ongoing basis.
So in conclusion, there are several different ways that members of the College of Paramedics can influence the shape and activities of their local hubs within the AHPRN. Frequently, the Research and Development Advisory Committee is approached by College of Paramedics members asking how they can get engaged in research activities linked to the College. This is certainly one area where we need your help. Represent the College of Paramedics in a research network that is growing in size and significance year on year—and don't forget to let us know how you get on. Why not make contact with your local AHPRN Hub and get active! Your contribution will make a difference.