News > Courses & Workshops

This page out lines some of the upcoming local and national courses that may be of interest to primary healthcare researchers.

Recruiting and Sustaining Trials in a Primary Care Setting

Dates: various
Venues: various
This foundation level course aims to provide an overview of the range of approaches used in recruitment and retention of sites and patients to primary care-based studies.
Outcomes
Following the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the way Primary Care is organised with respect to research
  • Appreciate that different approaches may be required when working to recruit and retain sites and patients in primary care
  • Have an awareness of the regulatory processes which need to followed and how they are operationalised
  • Understand a range of recruitment and retention strategies
  • Select recruitment and retention techniques appropriate to the study.

Programme
The course will consist of the following:

  • Presentations covering the major factors impacting on recruitment and retention in primary care
  • Opportunity to try out skills and techniques by designing recruitment strategies
  • Opportunity to share good practice and raise questions .

Further Information
This course is aimed at staff who are involved in recruiting patients from a primary care base. It will cater for people with differing levels of experience as there will be ample opportunity to share experience of successful and unsuccessful strategies. Because of the practical content of this course, it will be limited to 20 participants.

Duration
This is a one day course
UKCRN courses are offered free of charge to all staff and public and patient representatives working on or associated with the UKCRN portfolio of studies. Networks and host organisations are expected to pay travel, accommodation and other additional expenses incurred by their nominated staff. Late cancellation or failure to take up a pre-booked place without the necessary notice (as detailed in the UKCRN registration policy below) will incur a charge to cover UKCRN's costs. Delegates' employers will be personally liable for this charge which currently stands at £75.
For further details, see the website



MSc Evidence-based Health (part time)

University of Portsmouth School of Health Sciences and Social Work  and Advanced Professional Development (full or part time). These courses include a mixture of contact days, web-based and tutorial support to enable you to extend your knowledge within your chosen area and carry out evidence-based practice, guideline development, systematic review, service evaluation/improvement projects with the support of  experienced staff. To find out more about the postgraduate programmes contact Dr I Ryder or Dr S Kilburn, Tel: 023-9284 4440,   or see the website



Health R&D NoW specialist workshop, Qualitative evidence synthesis

Date: 20 March
Venue: Lancaster 
This training workshop examines the challenges of bringing together qualitative evidence as part of a systematic review process. It is designed for people experienced in systematic review methods and qualitative research. For more information see the website or contact Chris Jarvis 



Exploring Online Research Training Methods in a Virtual Learning Environment

This ESRC funded project aims to enhance understanding of online research methods through the production and evaluation of a self-supporting online training package targeted at the social science community. Modules include: online questionnaires; online interviews; online research ethics. See the website.

PGCert/PGDip/MSc Social Research Skills with Specialism(s) DL on-line courses

The School of Policy Studies at the University of Ulster is currently running courses in social research skills via e-learning. A range of flexible options are available for people with bachelor's degrees who wish to develop skills to:

1. carry out research projects from the design to write-up stage 2. critically appraise published and commissioned research 3. commission appropriate research and evaluation studies

The research skills modules are:

1. Survey and Quantitative Research Methods
2. Qualitative Research Methods
3. Research in Public Policy and Evaluation

Modules run for 12 weeks and enrolment takes place three times a year - September, January and April. Current enrolment is underway for the next start date 24 September 2007. It is possible to enrol online, for further information see the website. Contact: Julia S O'Connor, School of Policy Studies, tel: +44 (0)2871 375657.

UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) training courses

Dates: various
Venues: various 
The UK CRN was established to support clinical research and to facilitate the conduct of trials and other well-designed studies across the UK. It aims to help develop the level of expertise of all individuals working on the UK CRN portfolio of studies.
For full details of the course programme visit the website or contact: the Training and Education team

University of Portsmouth MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Healthcare

Professionals within health and social care are facing a work environment that offers both challenges and opportunities. This innovative multidisciplinary course is designed for healthcare professionals and those working in health and with an interest in advancing practice and evidence based healthcare. The course is suitable for those who are or who aspire to be responsible for: ensuring practice is evidence based and develops in line with key policies; making evidence-based decisions and disseminating best practice; conducting research based enquiry; leading and managing change within services; developing guidelines; leading or participating in service improvement and organisational; development; evaluating services. Visit the website for further details or contact Isobel Ryder

University of Bath, School for Health

i) Professional Doctorate in Health. A four year, part time programme which is delivered via distance learning and open to health and social care professionals who wish to become expert practitioners and researchers in practice. Comprising web-based delivery, blended with biannual face to face research conferences, you will build up your knowledge and skills in designing and conducting programmes of research as well as developing your individual research ideas, culminating in a piece of independent research which is peer reviewed and submitted for examination at Doctoral level. Our programme is designed to meet the needs of busy practitioners and to help expand understanding of policy and practice in the context of international healthcare systems and service.

ii) MSc Research in Health Practice. A three year, part time, modular programme, delivered by distance learning and aimed at health and social care professionals interested in conducting their own research, or using research in their practice. We provide a sound grounding in research methodology, followed by a choice of units covering different health research disciplines such as comprehensive health policy, risk management and leadership in health sector organisations. This programme is eminently suitable for those who are wishing to progress their career to specialist practitioner or consultant level within the NHS.

Contact: Gillian O'Carroll or visit the website 

Warwick and Coventry Primary Care Research (WC-PCR) Courses 2008

Dates: various
Venues: various
WC-PCR is a partnership between Warwick and Coventry Universities and Primary Care Trusts, established in 2000 by local practitioners and academics committed to primary care research. The course fee for each course, which includes refreshments and a buffet lunch, is 75GBP, but primary and community care practitioners / employees in the region may attend free of charge.

20 Feb  "Qualitative research methods workshop"
25 Feb  "Literature review workshop"
14 Mar  "Questionnaire design workshop"
10 Apr  "Doing research together: an introduction to research" 11 Jun , "Understanding statistics workshop" 17 Sep, "Qualitative research methods workshop" 1 Oct , "Literature review workshop" 9 Oct, "Questionnaire design workshop"

For details visit the website or contact: Krysia Saul 

How to Practise Evidence-Based Child Health

Date: 15 - 17 October
Venue: London
Centre for Evidence-Based Child Health course 

The course introduces health professionals to the skills required for evidence-based practice. These include how to:

*frame answerable questions from practice or policy problems *find the best available evidence to answer the question *critically appraise research for its validity and usefulness *incorporate the findings into decisions

Contact: Melissa Harden, tel: 020 7905 2606 or visit the website



RCN Research Society Eastern region AGM and seminar

Date: 21 October
Venue: Norwich 

"A five year vision for research related to nursing", Professor Richard Gray, Professor of Research Related to Nursing, University of East Anglia
Contact: Kornelia Hathaway or visit the website



Futility Analysis in Clinical Trials

Date: 11 November
Venue: London

Joint Royal Statistical Society (RSS)/ Medical Research Council (MRC)/ National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme meeting. Contact: Jenny Freeman or visit the website



The Association of Child Health Nurse Researchers (UK)

Dates: various
Venues: London

In affiliation with the RCN's Research in Child Health (RiCH) Group - 2008 workshops

18 January  10.00-16.30 hrs, RCN HQ, London. Getting started on your PhD 16 June 10.00-16.30 hrs, RCN HQ, London. Methodologies 14 November 10.00-16.30 hrs, RCN HQ, London. Ethical issues.
These workshops are designed to provide support, opportunities for networking and information for child health researchers. Action learning sets, individual support and opportunities for sustained contact will be features of this series of workshops. Cost: 50GBP per workshop, contact: Dr Alison Twycross 



Outcomes in clinical research - whose responsibility?

Date: 20 November
Venue: London
James Lind Alliance, and the Social Science Research Unit seminar

Contact: Marty Kilby, tel: +44 (0)1763 289191, or visit the website 



South East Research and Development Support Unit training programme

Dates: various
Venues: various 
The SE RDSU aims to provide relevant and valuable training to the Kent, Surrey and Sussex areas. The programme of training courses is guided by the SE RDSU contract and also investigation into the local needs of the areas. Training is free to NHS staff and participants can attend any number of sessions.

10 Sep, Research for Patient Benefit Funding Workshop, University of Kent, England 12 Sep, Responsible Literature Searching for Researchers, Brighton, Sussex, England 17 Sep, Randomised Controlled Trials: Introduction, University of Kent, England 01 Oct, Randomised Controlled Trials: The Principles of Randomisation, University of Kent, England 15 Oct, Randomised Controlled Trials: Data Management and Data Cleaning, University of Kent, England 21 Oct, Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) and other ways to fund your research, Worthing, Sussex, England 29 Oct, Randomised Controlled Trials: An Introduction to the Analysis of Trial Data, University of Kent, England 12 Nov, Randomised Controlled Trials: Developing a Randomised Controlled Trial Protocol, University of Kent, England 26 Nov, Randomised Controlled Trials: Appraising Randomised Controlled Trials, University of Kent, England

Contact (Kent): Sylvia Francis, tel: 01227 823878 or visit the website 

Contact (Surrey): Phil Sampson, tel: 01483 688540 or visit the website 

Contact (Sussex): Domino Moore, tel: 01273 643952 or visit the website 



University of Manchester School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work seminar series 2008

Dates: various
Venues: Manchester 

All seminars are in Block 3, University Place. All seminars are at 12.30-13.30 unless otherwise noted.

14 October, A qualitative study to explore the factors that contribute to physicians' treatment decisions when patients have advanced cancer, Carole Willard 28 October, Is Research involving Deaf people always valid and reliable?, Katherine Rogers 11 November, Working through Cancer, Ziv Amir 9 December, Does the inverse care law operate in relation to falls amongst older people?, Chris Todd

Contact: Dr Catherine Walshe, tel: 0161 306 7649

CRC Cymru Co-ordinating Centre Training and Education 2008

CRC Cymru training aims to develop and co-ordinate a high quality training programme that enhances skills and competencies and provides professional development for people involved in CRC Cymru research.

15 September, Communication skills in RCT (5-7), St Asaph
23 September, Research methodology - AWARD, Cardiff
30 September, Communication skills in RCT (5-7), Cardiff
07 October, Involving people, St Asaph
08 October, Critical appraisal - AWARD, St Asaph
14 October, GCP for investigators & Update GCP, St Asaph
05 November, Informed consent, Cardiff
11 November, GCP for new staff, Port Talbot
27 November,Communication skills in RCT (1-4), Cardiff
04 December, Communication skills in research, Cardiff
10 December, Research proposal development and implementation (AWARD),

Contact: Libby Batt, CRC Cymru Training and Development Lead or vsiit the website 

Clinical Research Support Centre (Northern Ireland) Autumn 2008 workshops

Dates: various
Venues: Belfast 

25 September, Exploratory data analysis - an SPSS primer
30 September, Hypothesis testing
7 October, Analysis of variance 
14 October, Economic evaluation in clinical research
23 Oct, Chi-square analysis
6 November, Correlation and simple regression
18 November, Multiple and logistic regression
25 November, Multivariate analysis
4 December, Survival analysis
9 December, Intellectual property and health and social care
11 December, The innovation process and support offered by HSC Innovations

Contact: The admin office, tel: 02890 635794

Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Academic Research & Development Support Unit Seminars

Dates: various
Venues: various

In conjunction with University of Portsmouth School of Health Sciences and Social Work Research 2008 seminar series
16 September, Morbidity and mortality in patients with stable and unstable COPD: construction and validation of a prediction model using routinely collected data 14 October, Quality of life and children with speech, language and communication needs 18 November  Addressing health inequalities on the Isle of Wight 16 December, Fundamental biological research at the heart of drug discovery.

Contact: Irene Burrows, tel: 023 9228 6236, or visit the website 



Using Communication Skills for the Recruitment of Primary Care Professionals into Research

This one day course is aimed primarily at primary care recruitment staff who will be involved in explaining research studies to primary care practitioners.

This foundation level course aims to provide participants with:

Skills to explain research studies in appropriate ways to professional audiences
An awareness of the main barriers which deter primary care practitioners from becoming engaged in research
Skills to enthuse and motivate primary care practitioners to become involved in research
Information on how being involved in research can inform clinical practice and benefit patients.

Following the course, participants will be able to:
Understand that primary care professionals will consider research involvement against the backdrop of heavy clinical commitments
Appreciate the different driving influences which could encourage primary care practitioners to become involved in research
Explain the benefits of primary care research involvement
Motivate primary care practitioners using a range of techniques.

UKCRN courses are offered free of charge to all staff and public and patient representatives working on or associated with the UKCRN portfolio of studies. However, failure to take up a pre-booked, confirmed place without giving the necessary notice will incur a charge to cover part of the UKCRN Coordinating Centre’s costs. The UKCRN holds the authorising network/organisation responsible for the charge, which currently stands at £75.00. However, depending upon local arrangements, it is possible for this charge to be passed on to the delegate or their employer by the authorising network/organisation. For further details visit the website



Monitoring course for non-commercial sponsors

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the NHS R&D Forum are developing a monitoring course. This two-day course will provide an introduction to the skills required for monitoring research in the UK non-commercial sector. The course will focus on monitoring of clinical research trials of medicinal products. The course is designed for all staff involved in monitoring, or supervising monitoring of clinical research e.g. R&D Managers, research governance staff, study coordinators, and investigator site staff. Enrolment is limited to 30 participants per course. The first course is due to take place in July 2008 and will be repeated about every two months thereafter in different parts of the UK, to enable delegates to attend a local course. For details visit the website If you would like to host a course in your area contact the NHS R&D Forum.

RCN - Special update on training

Visit the website 

NRES Researcher training day

Dates: various
Venues: various

NRES is committed to facilitating and promoting ethical research. NRES is rolling out, the very successful Researcher Training Day which gives researchers applying to NHS Research Ethics Committees (RECs) an opportunity to learn from REC members and NRES staff, about the process of ethical review and what RECs look for when reviewing research ethics applications. The day will provide guidance on completing successful applications, including the application form and interactive training sessions with a “REC tutor”.
Objectives:
• To help researchers complete research ethics documentation properly, including the application form and participant information sheets
• To give researchers insight into the ethical issues considered by RECs when reviewing a research application, including controversial research.
• To receive guidance from a REC member in small group exercises. Who should attend: • Researchers applying for ethical approval from an NHS REC
• Research Managers managing research trials
• Clinical Trial Managers in the private sector
• Research and Development managers from public and private sectors

Visit the website for flyer & registration form.
 
Dates and Locations 2008/2009 (venues TBC) Thursday 19 June  – Bristol, Thursday 25 September  – London, Thursday 15 January  – Cambridge, Thursday 12 March  – Manchester



Royal College of Nursing and Open University Certificate/Diploma/MSc in Advancing Healthcare Practice

Each stage of the programme is a valuable award in its own right. Alternatively, if you are seeking to enhance your research skills you can register for the two research courses: Designing Healthcare Research (20 credits at Level M) and Conducting Healthcare Research (20 credits at Level M). The first of these two courses focuses on research methodology while the second focuses on research methods and enables you to prepare a research proposal.

While studying the postgraduate programmes you will:
* retrieve, interpret and use data (qualitative and quantitative), information and evidence for strategic purposes
* work collaboratively with others in a range of different and complex contexts to advance practice
* manage uncertainty which is inherent in advancing practice and the development of scholarship
* translate concepts into practice, using techniques, skills and approaches that are timely, sensitive and well thought-out
* demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems

RCN members are entitled to a 10% discount for all courses in the Postgraduate programme in Advancing Healthcare Practice.
Contact: Open University, tel: 0845 300 60 90, or visit the website

Research Ethics Seminars

Protecting Patients' Interests - This is a series of seminars for new or active researchers who would like an insight into the world of research ethical review. The seminars are available to both individuals and groups and cover Ethics Committee Structures and Processes; The Application Form; Managing the Paper Trail and a three-hour interactive Research Ethical Issues session. For more information consult the flyer.

UK Healthcare Education Partnership e-learning modules

UKHEP is a new e-learning joint venture between the Royal College of Nursing, City University London and the Universities of Ulster and Leicester. UKHEP offers a range of innovative, inter professional and highly patient-centered online learning modules to post-registration healthcare professionals. Modules can be studied as stand alone CPD opportunities or can be combined to earn a BSc top up degree in health sciences. For more information visit the website. Modules are: Health Informatics, Research Methodologies for Practice, Leadership, User and carer involvement; Clinical governance matters, Clinical governance works, Evidence-based healthcare, Managing change.

Masters in Evidence Based Health Care

This part-time, integrated, postgraduate programme provides education and training in the principles and practice of evidence-based health care for professionals working in all aspects of health service. It aims to help health professionals base their clinical and health management decisions on valid, reliable and relevant evidence, determined by sound scientific research and evaluation. It comprises three sequential levels each normally taken over the period of a year. For more information visit the website.

Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care

University of Brighton is offering a professional doctorate commencing in September. For more information visit the website.

Middlesex University MSc in European Nursing

The Masters programme runs over 2 years, part-time.
This innovative curriculum includes: Core modules are delivered via WebCT; Research projects can be collaborative and at European level; Opportunities for short placements abroad to meet and shadow a senior nurse working at European Union level; First programme in Europe to focus on European Nursing. Students will particularly engage in the challenges presented by cultural and structural diversity through the study of Transcultural Nursing. For further information visit the website.

MSc/Diploma/Certificate in Primary Care

University of Birmingham Department of Primary Care & General Practice MSc in Primary Care. This modular course is open to all healthcare professionals in primary care. One bursary is available fro applicants working in the West Midlands Region. For more information visit the website or contact Trish Henley on 0121 415 8017.

RDLearning

RDLearning is a database of all post-qualifying health-related training courses available in the UK with particular emphasis on research. The database covers workshops, conferences and short courses ranging from higher education institutions, professional bodies, research networks and training organisations.

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