CLINICAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

PROFESSIONALS

2015

Short Term Fellowships to Support the Development and Undertaking of Clinical Research Activities in Palliative Care

Guidance Notes andApplication Form

Closing Date for Applications: 24th August 2015

Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

Contents

Page

1. Background 1

2. Introduction 3

3. Scope 4

4. Potential Benefits 4

5. Eligibility 4

6. Application Process 5

7. Evaluation 6

8. Notification 7

9. Successful Applicants 7

Application Form 8

Signature Page 14

Checklist 15

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1. Background All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) is an all island organisation comprised of a Consortium of partner organisations, including hospices, health care agencies and universities, all working to improve the experience of supportive, palliative and end-of-life care on the island of Ireland, by enhancing the capacity to develop knowledge, promote learning, influence policy and shape practice. The aim is to secure best care for those approaching end-of-life (www.aiihpc.org).

The Institute brings together three Work Packages of Education, Research and Policy and Practice into a single entity, allowing the activities and outcomes of each to add value to the others, through their focus on four inter-linked, cross-cutting themes:

Meaningful involvement of users, carers and communities in the development and delivery of palliative care education, research, policy and practice;

Development of a coherent and collaborative palliative care community; Supporting the delivery of innovative, high quality palliative care education and research; Translation of knowledge and learning for the development of palliative care policy and

practice nationally and internationally.

Research VisionThe vision for the research strand of work is to seek International recognition for research and development that enhances the knowledge, expertise and scholarship for hospice and palliative care in Ireland that will ultimately have an impact on care for patients and families.

Research Strategic Objectives Facilitate the development of a coherent and collaborative research environment and

culture Strategically support the delivery of outstanding, innovative, internationally relevant

research on an all-Island basis; Develop research capacity and future research leaders; Facilitate the effective translation of knowledge to the national and international

community, demonstrating the impact of research and development programmes on policy and strategic health priorities;

Facilitate the advancement of knowledge and practice for hospice and palliative care through interdisciplinary collaborations and meaningful user involvement.

2. Introduction AIIHPC continues to lay the foundations for a more collaborative and strategic approach to research on the island of Ireland by supporting the Palliative Care Research Network (PCRN). One of the Network’s key aims is to develop research capacity in palliative and end of life care, with the ultimate goal of improving the palliative care experience for users, cares and the community. Following the success of our previous Clinical Fellowships we are pleased to announce a second call for up to four Clinical Research Fellowships to support health and social care professionals involved in clinical practice to undertake short-term research projects/ activities relevant to palliative and end of life care.

3. Scope

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

These Fellowships, worth €10,000 each, will assist individuals to protect dedicated time within their clinical commitments in order to complete a small-scale research project/ activity in one of the following broad areas relevant to palliative care:

Symptoms/ symptom management Psychosocial support for patients and/or carers Research focused on specific groups and populations Health service research Research informing policy and practice

In particular we would encourage interested individuals to consider projects that reflect the research priorities identified as part of the recently launched Palliative and End of Life Research Priority Setting Project for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (www.aiihpc.org/research).

The purpose of these Fellowships is to facilitate individuals to commence or continue a project in their area of interest. This might include, for example:

Systematic review Feasibility/pilot study A stage/phase of a larger study Development of a research proposal for funding

Please note the Fellowships will not support clinical audits.

Ideally, applicants will be in a position to complete the project/ activity within 10 months from the commencement date. We would encourage applicants to take cognisance of this timeframe and level of funding when developing their proposed research. It is the responsibility of the recipient to negotiate protected/added time with their employing organisation. For example, it may be appropriate for your organisation to employ a trainee on a consultancy basis while you undertake this research project/ activity. Please note, the use of this award does not allow for payment of overheads but rather, may enable activities required to undertake the research project / activity (e.g. costs associated with attending meetings, accessing paid-per-view journals; purchasing specific measurement tools; etc).

4. Potential Benefits It is anticipated that the Fellowships will provide valuable capacity building and learning opportunities to those interested in or currently undertaking palliative care research. For example,

Expand or develop small or large-scale research in progress; Develop understanding and skills in specific research methods; Enhance academic writing and presentation skills; Provide access to expert opinion from a panel of national and international experts via

AIIHPC; Engage in wider learning opportunities offered through AIIHPC including the Early

Career Researcher Forum.

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

5. Eligibility The Clinical Research Fellowships are targeted at health and social care professionals (including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, physiotherapists, etc), working in clinical practice in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, with previous experience of and a commitment to palliative and end of life care research.

This year we will award up to three Fellowships, with applications judged on the basis of criteria including the applicant’s potential contribution to research and the scientific merit of the application. In addition, this round of Fellowships will also be awarded on a regional basis, with final decisions informed by the aim of promoting research in parts of the Ireland and Northern Ireland that have not previously hosted a Fellowship.

Successful applicants will hold a relevant degree/ MSc or have experience in the area of palliative care. S/he must be able to commit to completing the project within a 10 month period, with projects expected to commence by the beginning of November 2015, as well as submit a final report and seek to prepare a paper for peer-reviewed publication.

6. Application Process Completed applications with CVs should be submitted on the Application Form contained within this document. An electronic version of the application with CV must be submitted to Dr Tara Murphy (Programme Manager Research) at tmurphy@aiihpc.org by 4pm on Monday 24th

August 2015 This should be followed by submission of a hard copy of the application form with CV attached and original signature by Wednesday 26th August 2015.

Applicants are asked to note the following instructions (to be read in conjunction with the application form contained within this document). Please also note that ‘research project’ and ‘research activity/activities’ are used interchangeably throughout the application.

Question 6: If this is relevant, provide a 250 word description of the amount of work undertaken towards your higher degree. Please attach the description as an appendix clearly indicating that this is in response to Part A (Q6).

Question 11: Indicate when you expect to commence the research project/ activity. Please note, projects will be expected to commence by early October 2015. By “phase of the project” we mean the stage the project is at. For example, undertaking a systematic review may be the first step or phase in the project. A ‘pilot’ or ‘feasibility’ study may be the second phase of a three part study and so on. In terms of ‘duration in months’, projects may be completed within 3-10 months.

Question 12: This should be negotiated directly with your employing organisation.

Question 13: The abstract may be broken down as follows: Aims & objectives Design & methodology (if applicable) – or the process you intend to follow in

order to undertake the project Detail any anticipated outcomes for the project - by ‘outcomes’ we mean

differences or changes in behaviour, knowledge, perceptions, experiences, and so on.

Detail any potential outputs for the project - by ‘outputs’ we mean products, services, etc.

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

Question 14: Include evidence from the literature and give references to any relevant systematic reviews. Where available, include a description of any pilot work, relevant studies already undertaken. Also summarise the importance of the proposed research and its relevance to palliative care across Ireland or wider. Include references as an appendix.

Question 16: (i) A breakdown of anticipated costs associated with the project is required.

(ii) Indicate any co- funding (i.e. funding from any other source other than AIIHPC) or matched funding if applicable.

Question 17: Though you may have more than one supervisor, the Lead Supervisor will have ultimate responsibility for supervising you and your project.

Question 18: If yes, please indicate whether ethical approval for the project has been or is anticipated to be secured. A copy of ethics approval will be required by AIIHPC once it becomes available. We would encourage applicants to take cognisance of this timeframe and level of funding when developing their proposed research.

Question 19: The training may include any generic or specialist skills training, specific methodological training, or other transferable skills such as management skills; communication or dissemination skills (i.e. conference/workshop attendance; teaching/supervision experience and writing for publication).

7. EvaluationAll applications will be validated by AIIHPC to ensure they meet the defined eligibility criteria and that they adhere to the appropriate format. Any invalid applications will not go forward for further evaluation. Applicants will be notified in writing if an application is deemed invalid.

Selection of applicants will be undertaken by an Evaluation Review Panel of experts convened by AIIHPC.

For each application, panel members will be asked to comment on the following:

Relevance to hospice, palliative care and end-of-life care

Applicant’s potential to contribute to research Does the applicant’s CV indicate future potential to contribute to research? Is there an evident commitment to research in palliative care?

Adequacy of the research environment Does the applicant’s project relate to the Lead Supervisor’s existing research

programme? Has the applicant explained clearly the support (human and infrastructure)

available for both research methodology and research topic?

Supervisory arrangements Are these arrangements adequate?

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

Do the supervisor(s) have suitable and relevant experience in the topic area?

Scientific merit of the application Are the aims & objectives clearly stated; Is the methodology appropriate; Is there potential for duplication of research elsewhere; Are the proposed outcomes / outputs likely to be achieved; Is there a proposed plan for dissemination? What is the value of the proposal to palliative care practice?

In addition, this round of Fellowships will also be awarded on a regional basis, reflecting the Institute’s aim to promote research on palliative and end of life care across the island or Ireland. Therefore, if relevant, final decisions informed by the aim of promoting research in parts of the Ireland that have not previously hosted a Fellowship. 8. Notification Each applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application by email.

i. Successful applicants will be required to provide a (a) signed letter of acceptance of the Clinical Research Fellowship as well as (b) letter of support from their line manager/ employing organisation within one week of accepting the award.

ii. Unsuccessful applicants may request in writing, feedback as to why their application was unsuccessful. This feedback will consist of comments from the Evaluation Review Panel.

iii. Unsuccessful applicants may apply again in response to further advertisements for research training awards from AIIHPC.

9. Successful Applicants Governance & financial issues

All awards must be administered by an appropriate designated organisation which will manage the award on behalf of AIIHPC.

AIIHPC will make periodic installments of awards in arrears to the designated organisation on receipt of an appropriate, certified claim form.

The final claim will be withheld until AIIHPC receives an acceptable written report prepared by the Fellow and signed by the Lead Supervisor at the end of the scheme.

Programme of work Commence the project/activity in early October 2015 and complete it within 10

months.

Progress and Final ReportsSuccessful applicants will be (asked to):

Supply an electronic copy of their abstract, which will be used in response to requests for information.

Submit a brief progress report (two pages max.) electronically after three months of commencing the Fellowship and a final report upon completion of the project/activity.

Be prepared to present their work at research seminars, as requested by AIIHPC and supervisors may also be required to attend these seminars.

Encouraged to publish the results of their research supported by the scheme in relevant scientific or professional journals. The support AIIHPC must be acknowledged in all publications.

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

Submit copies of all reports, publications and presentations stemming from the research supported by this award.

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

PLEASE COMLETE IN TYPESCRIPT. COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 4PM on 24th August 2015.

PART A: PERSONAL DETAILS

1. Please provide the following details.

Surname

Forename(s)

Title: (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr)

Home Address

Contact Telephone Office

Contact Telephone Home

Contact Telephone Mobile

Email address

2. Please give details of your present position (including start and end dates).

Job Title

Employer Name

Employer address

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

3. Please indicate your area of occupational speciality. For Consultants and Physicians, please insert your area of clinical speciality in the space below e.g. Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Cardiology, Psychiatry, Neurology, etc.

4. Please provide details of your academic/ professional education (add rows if necessary).

Name of Qualification Name of Professional Body/Awarding Institution

Date Obtained

Registration Number (if applicable)

5. Please give your employment history over the previous ten years if applicable. Include details of any breaks in your career (if relevant) and state the time periods (add rows if necessary).

Name and address of Employer Job Title From/To

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

6. Are you registered for a higher degree? If yes, give the name and level of degree, the title of the programme of work; start/end date; full/part time; source and amount of funding to date (if any) including an outline (250 word limit) of the amount of work undertaken so far towards your higher degree.

7. Describe any research experience you have to date and give specific details of your role. (300 word limit)

8. If available, please list below your three most recent relevant publications in peer reviewed journals. Where appropriate, include any other relevant reports, health-related publications or presentations you may have (co-)authored/ delivered.

9. Please explain why you are applying for this Fellowship, describing what you hope to gain from it, how it fits in with your clinical plans as well as your research and future career plan. (800 word limit)

*Please include your CV (max 2 pages) with this application form. Failure to do so will render this application null and void.

PART B: RESEARCH PROJECT/ ACTIVITY DETAILS

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

10. Title of research project.

11. Please indicate your proposed commencement date or phase of the proposed project.

Proposed commencement date:

Phase of the project (if applicable):

Expected duration in months:

12. Please describe the arrangement proposed for the integration of your clinical post and clinical research fellowship and any other suitable arrangements. Please indicate the number of days per week to be dedicated to the research project or describe block periods, if any. (150 word limit)

13. Please provide an abstract of the proposed project. This should be a clear synopsis of your proposal including the specific aims and objectives, design and methodology (if applicable) of the project, anticipated outcomes and outputs. (500 word limit)

14. Please provide a clear rationale for the project. (1000 word limit)

15. Detail the proposed project plan, including identifying the main activities, resources required, activities to be undertaken and timelines involved in this project. (500 word limit)

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

16. Budget: Outline the total funding requested (max. €10,000) and relate the funds requested to specific project activities. Include details of any co-funding and matching funding as appropriate.

Activity Associated cost Co-/matched funding (if applicable)

17. Please describe the supervisory team arrangements for the project including identifying the Lead Supervisor(s) and how this proposal fits with their current programme of work (300 word limit)

*Please include a 2-page CV for the Lead Supervisor to include the supervisors’ ten (or less) most recent publications relevant to this project. Failure to do so will render this application null and void.

18. Is ethical approved required for this project? Please indicate ‘yes/no’ and if ‘yes’, provide any additional information.

19. Please provide details of any training and development activities you plan to undertake or have undertaken previously to build knowledge and skills for research. (200 word limit)

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

20. Please describe any potential challenges or risks to the completion of the project. Clearly outline how you would address these challenges/ risks. (max 200 words)

SIGNATURE PAGE

Please provide a signed statement of merit from the Lead Supervisor, which demonstrates his/her support for this application.

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

Title

First Name

Surname

Role/Position

Contact Address

E-mail address

Phone Number

Professional Relationship

Statement of Merit from the Lead Supervisor (detailing the attributes of the applicant and the benefits the project would bring to the applicant and the wider palliative care community - no more than 200 words)

Date: ………………………………………. Signature: ……………………………………………………….

*Please note, successful applicants will be required to provide a signed letter of support from their line manager/employing organisation.

Please indicate that the application is accurate.

By ticking the box you are declaring that the information provided in this application is accurate

Date: ………………………………… Applicant’s signature: …………………………………………

Please return completed application and copies to:

Dr Tara MurphyProgramme Manager ResearchAll Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care

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Guidance Notes & Application Form for AIIHPC Clinical Research Fellowships July 2015

2nd Floor Education & Research CentreOur Lady’s Hospice & Care ServicesHarold’s Cross Dublin 6Email: tmurphy@aiihpc.org

CHECKLISTPlease ensure you have attached the following:

Applicant CV (max. 2 pages)

Lead Supervisor’s CV (max 2 pages)

Signature Page (yours and the Lead Supervisor’s)

DATES TO REMEMBER

Closing date of application (electronic) 24th August 2015

Notification 10th September 2015

Project to have commenced by Early October 2015

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