Specialist post promotes research awareness and expertise throughout the Defence Nursing Service

Published: 22 July 2009

Lt Cdr Elaine Bell, DNS Research Lead, explains the scope and potential of her role.

There is a great deal of excellent and often innovative work occurring throughout the Defence Nursing Service (DNS). My role as DNS Research Lead is to increase awareness and promote the sharing of good practice, within not only the DNS, but also through the wider nursing profession.

Research awareness is central to achieving this goal and ensuring that individuals have the knowledge, support and opportunity to accomplish this. Therefore the role needs to be flexible and adaptable to meet the diverse needs of the individuals within the DNS.

The first priority is to ensure that everyone is aware that the post exists and how to access the support available to them. To achieve this we have been organising roadshows to visit Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) throughout the country - that is, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM), MDHU Derriford, MDHU Portsmouth, MDHU Northallerton and MDHU Peterborough.

At each unit a research workshop will be offered, including information on the research process, an overview of research methodology, a session on how to write a research proposal, guidelines from the Ministry of Defence Research Ethics Committee (MODREC) and advice on how to get started with publishing.

An additional day will also be available for individual interviews for those who wish to discuss their ongoing research projects or any ideas they have for future projects. Following on from the roadshows, monthly research surgeries are also available, with each appointment lasting up to an hour and offering an opportunity for individuals to receive one-to-one support.

Join the club!

A Research Journal Club is being set up at RCDM and the first meeting was planned for 18 June. This creates an arena in which people can meet and discuss current clinically relevant articles. We want it to be a very informal atmosphere where all staff and students can contribute and learn from one another. The aim is to encourage objective and critical appraisal of research articles, and to examine their validity and relevance to defence health care practice.

The club also aims to promote professional, academic and research development. At each meeting a specific article is discussed, focusing on clinical relevance, validity and justification for the methodology used.

When possible the author of the article is invited to lead the discussion. To allow participants to prepare in advance and stimulate interactive discussion on the day, two weeks prior to the session the article will be sent to those who plan on attending.

Presentations at the Single Service Nursing Symposiums and also at the Tri Service Nursing Conference will support widespread dissemination of the support and resources available.

Other duties

As well as giving support and raising awareness, the Lead DNS Research Nurse is also responsible for overseeing and leading a number of projects funded by the Surgeon General's Department. This includes "Listening to Service Patients" and the support and monitoring of defence medical personnel who are studying at MSc and PhD level.

Overall, it is a challenging and diverse role which I am finding extremely enjoyable and rewarding.