Research Inquiry for Advanced Practice HEA4264

Overview

This module has been designed to complete the academic journey of trainee advanced practitioners, providing the opportunity for your engagement in independent, in-depth research inquiry aligned to the four pillars of the Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England (HEE, 2017), with a particular emphasis on pillar 4.

Module code:	HEA4264
Level:	7
Module credits:	40
Cost for new students:	£2000 for 2024/25 academic year.

If your tuition fee is being paid by a sponsor or you are a sponsor paying a student’s fee, you are required to send a copy of a purchase order to [email protected].

For further guidance please visit: Sponsored students – Edge Hill University

Who is this module for?

This is the final module of the advanced practice programme and is available to students who have completed the relevant compulsory and optional modules for the advanced clinical practice programme. This is not available as a stand-alone option.

What are the key aims of the module?

The module aims to support and develop you to:

• Demonstrate the ability to critically appraise the evidence base, its application to practice, and make recommendations to enhance person centred care. (Clinical Practice/Education/Research)
• Critically appraise and synthesise the outcome of relevant research/ service improvement projects, using the results to enhance practice and disseminate to a variety of audiences. (Clinical Practice/Leadership and Management/Education/Research)
• Demonstrate critical consideration of ethics and governance issues related to research/quality improvement projects and efficiency of service provision. (Clinical Practice/Leadership and Management/Research)
• Demonstrate critical insight to identify the need for further research/quality improvement to strengthen the evidence base for best practice. (Clinical Practice/Leadership and Management/Research)

How will I study?

You will undertake a comprehensive study that aligns with your profession, scope of practice, job role, and professional development needs under the guidance of an experienced academic supervisor who will oversee and advise on your learning needs and progression. The project will also be guided by your workplace coordinating education supervisor to ensure it can be accommodated within the workplace organisational structure. You will collaborate with your academic supervisor and coordinating education supervisor via a tripartite arrangement. The primary vehicle for communication will be via the e-portfolio, with joint supervisory meetings as required. You will be expected to critically engage with research activity/quality improvement initiatives and synthesise the outcomes to underpin evidence-based strategies, which will enhance the quality and safety of person-centred care. You will utilise an appropriate theoretical model to frame your work, the underpinning evidence and make recommendations for, or evidence change in practice based on your findings, the aim being to promulgate patient safety and enhance outcomes.

What will I study?

You will be supported in taking a critical approach to the identification of gaps in the current evidence base related to your own specialist area/scope of practice upon which research activity will be centred. This will allow you to focus on the four pillars of advanced practice and develop a project that is forward-facing, critically evaluates and audits practice to produce results that could impact on patient care and / or service delivery. You will be enabled to move forward into advanced practice as an educator, leader, and innovator.

The module will explore relevant appropriate theoretical models that will support you to engage critically with a quality improvement project related to your scope of practice. You will select and apply valid, reliable methods and will then act on the findings to enhance quality, safety, and productivity.

How will I be assessed?

The assessment for this module will require you to prepare a paper for potential publication arising directly out of the project undertaken. This will be presented in a format suitable for submission to an appropriate peer-reviewed journal (agreed by the module leader and academic supervisor). You are expected to follow the editorial team ‘Author’s Guidelines’ from your chosen journal, but within the word limit indicated for this assessment 4,000 words. You will also have to develop a poster presentation that will be presented to your peer group outlining the project undertaken within clinical practice.

On successful completion you will:

The module is driven by quality improvement theory, which will support you to make changes within your practice.

Study dates and venues

How to apply

Module availability varies from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Due to the popularity of some modules it may be that the module is fully booked when your application is received. We will include your details on a waiting list and allocate you a place on the next available intake.

For details of how to apply, please visit the apply page.

If you have any queries about studying with us, please complete the online enquiry form.

Contact us

For further information please contact the medical school administration team [email protected].

Pathways

This module is taken as a core module for the advance clinical practice (ACP) (direct entry and apprenticeships route), PGC/PGD/MSc Clinical Professional Development and other health programmes as appropriate.