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NIHR Gastroenterology & Hepatology Clinical Research Training Programme
The NIHR offers a comprehensive training programme designed with NHS doctors* in mind to provide hands-on clinical research training that they may not have access to as part of their usual day-to-day activities in their NHS roles.
*This course is primarily aimed at those working in Hepatology and Gastroenterology specialties initially with plans for expansion across all specialty areas in due course.
The NHS constitution makes it clear that patients have a right to be involved in research, and so all consultants need to have some understanding of research and how it takes place in the NHS. Like many specialty therapy areas, the Gastroenterology/Hepatology training curriculum does not provide training in clinical research.
What the course involves
There are three components involved for completing the course:
- Hands on involvement with your local research team – gain practical experience in the delivery of NIHR portfolio studies and recruiting patients*
- Online learning course through NIHR Learn – covering the principles and practice of clinical research, statistics and critical appraisal.
- Group event – learning how to convert unanswered clinical problems into research questions
What is the NIHR Associate Principal Investigator Scheme?
The Associate PI Scheme is a six month in-work training opportunity, providing practical experience for healthcare professionals starting their research career.
People who would not normally have the opportunity to take part in clinical research in their day-to-day role have the chance to experience what it means to work on and deliver an NIHR portfolio trial under the mentorship of an enthusiastic Local Principal Investigator (PI).
Associate Principal Investigators receive formal recognition of engagement in NIHR Portfolio research studies through the certification of Associate PI status, endorsed by the NIHR and Royal Colleges.
NIHR Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
This is an essential requirement for many research projects and will ensure that you have the basic skills to undertake clinical research.