Development of research governance awareness to support pre-hospital studies

Abstract

Abstract published with permission. Background: Development of new evidence to support pre-hospital emergency care benefits both patients and practitioners. Clinical research must be conducted within a formal governance framework but it is challenging for paramedics to access traditional good clinical practice (GCP) training due to high service demands and some content is of little relevance to the prehospital setting. Objective: To establish the content and format of easily accessible research governance awareness training for use by paramedics and other members of the ambulance service as and when appropriate. Methods: A systematic literature review identified descriptions of pre-hospital research training. An online survey sought views about the formal research training undertaken by NHS paramedics and an expert consensus process confirmed the content of training materials. Results: Research governance training was rarely acknowledged in pre-hospital clinical trial literature and was recalled by only one in eight respondents who had assisted with clinical research. A pre-hospital orientated slide set and matching assessment questions were reviewed in two cycles by an expert panel to achieve a consensus on the content and format. Conclusions: Through a structured process of literature review, stakeholder engagement and expert consensus we have developed training and assessment materials which can be used flexibly to prepare paramedics and the wider ambulance workforce for safe hosting of low-risk research activities.