"The Associate PI scheme works so well for our research team, we can provide experience, expertise and help develop researchers of the future"
Matthew Williams, Research Manager in Orthopaedics, at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board enlists the support of Associate Principal Investigators across a range of studies and is encouraging PIs, registrars and junior members of staff to participate in the scheme.
What is the NIHR’s Associate Principal Investigator Scheme?
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme links healthcare professionals who are not involved in research with a study PI at the same site for a period of 6 months. A set of tasks relating to study management at site is completed and the Associate PI is awarded a certificate on completion of the scheme for their training portfolio.
The Trauma and Orthopaedics’ research team based at University Hospital Llandough has been using the NIHR’s Associate PI scheme, for 18 months. The scheme has allowed the team to nurture the PI’s of the future, provide opportunities for members of the team to help with study set up and recruitment.
Extremely efficient
Matthew said: “We have used a similar trainee model for a few years. We have found this approach ensures the team are extremely efficient and our studies are fully- comprehensive, bringing together a vast amount of knowledge from a range of specialities.
“For example, we’re currently working on the BASIS study looking into the use of body braces for children with scoliosis. On this study, we have a spinal fellow as well as an orthotist specialist from Rookwood as associate PIs distributing the vast amount of work amongst three people rather than solely the responsibility of the PI.”
Who is eligible?
The Associate PI Scheme is open to any Trainee, Doctor, Nurse, Midwife, Healthcare Professional or Allied Health Professional, without research as part of their current role, willing to make a significant contribution to the conduct and delivery at a local level.
Research Manager in Orthopaedics
Matthew continued: “In our experience, the associate PI role is especially useful in our acute trauma trials where we’re recruiting participants within hours of being admitted to accident and emergency. These types of studies have an unpredictable workload which means the core research team and PI are not always available to respond to demands. By having more people involved in the study we can sometimes recruit 24 hours a day seven days a week. This approach may be particularly beneficial in hospitals and specialities where there is no dedicated research team or where recruitment happens at more than one site.”
Current Associate PI on the WHiTE11 FRUITI trial, looking into treatments for hip fractures, Prashanth D'sa
He said: “Associate PI’s can work alongside the PI and research team to be a valuable link person coordinating and engaging local trainees to take part in trials.
“I decided to be a part of the Associate PI team to gain the experience I needed. It’s a great a stepping stone towards future leadership roles in large research projects and the NIHR scheme allows for official recognition of this role, which I can add to my CV as well as being acknowledges in primary publications.”
Jayne Goodwin, Head of Research Delivery at Health and Care Research Wales said: “The NIHR Associate PI Scheme is an excellent pathway for those looking to get involved in health and social care research as it provides real-life experience of the challenges and practicalities of delivering a research study. Developing the PIs of the future will enable us to grow our capacity and increase opportunities for research in Wales.
“I encourage everyone interested in research but not sure where to start, to find out more.”
For more information on the NIHR’s Associate PI scheme visit the NIHR’s website or contact the scheme by email.