Is there a better way? Researchers want to know what needs investigating to improve practice

Ever feel things could be done differently and more effectively in your day-to-day work? Are there areas of practice you think might be improved to the benefit of service users?

If so now’s your chance to have your ideas looked into. Social workers in a healthcare setting are been urged to tell the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) what they want investigated.

Jo Rycroft-Malone at NIHR said: “The NIHR research programmes fund research which aims to improve the lives of people in receipt of social care as well as improving the professional lives of people working in social care.

“A lot of research has already been funded but we know that as times change, new questions arise which could be answered through research.

“You don’t need to be a researcher, nor be familiar with research, to know what your pressing practice issues are. We just want to know in your own words what would make a difference to you if you knew the answer.”

NIHR’s role is to fund research into interventions and practices that could improve the lives of people who use services. It is working with BASW to help shape its research strategy in social care. Ideas that fall within the research remit, are of high priority to patients and the public and could be answered by research may become future commissioned calls.

BASW’s policy and research officer Dr Godfred Boahen said: “All of us sometimes question why things are done a certain way and may often feel they could be done better with improved outcomes for those we work with.

“This is an opportunity for those closest to the ground to ask those questions and potentially have them answered through research. Ultimately it could lead to changes in practice for the better. I would urge anyone who wants to help improve the system to submit their research ideas to the NIHR.”

The NIHR is also looking for people working in social care to join its committees and review applications for funding.

See examples of previous research project here

Submit your ideas for research here

If you are interested in joining the NIHR’s research evaluation committee click here or to find out more about becoming a reviewer click here