The Council for Allied Health Professions Research (CAHPR) has published new guidance on the development of research skills for AHP students on pre-registration courses.
The ‘position statement’ recognises the increasing need and value for the activities of all the AHPs to be evidence-based and informed.
It makes recommendations for how this can be achieved through pre-registration education which prepares students for entry to their chosen profession.
The guidance states that AHP pre-registration students need to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence, so that on qualification they are able to do the following:
- Be research and evidence aware in their practice
- Review and critique existing evidence
- Apply appropriate research evidence in their practice
- Engage in routine data collection, relevant audit and service evaluation activities to inform clinical practice and research questions
- Participate in methodologically robust research, based on well-informed research questions
- Pursue postgraduate research programmes and career options in research.
By acquiring these skills, when qualifying students should be able to provide enhanced patient outcomes, experience and satisfaction, enhance their career development opportunities for, and raise the profile of their profession.
The guidance will be continually reviewed and updated to keep up with the latest trends.