The Life Cycle of a Research Application

Starting this blog with an article about process may be a bit of a risk as ‘process’ is pretty dull. However please bear with me. In this case process is a reason for celebration.

We are finally at the point where we can tell people our plans for how we will receive applications for health and social care research into the DHSC, and what will happen with them after that. And who better to celebrate the advancement of knowledge than Sir David Attenborough.

Therefore I give you ‘The life cycle of a research application’… In the style of David Attenborough.

Our Island may be home to a few hundred different kinds of research applications. Each individual locked in its own life-long fight for survival. This story tells us of the journey of a single research application from its chance conception in the mind of a single curious sole, to the creation of knowledge which forms the basis of our health and care practices on this fragile Island.

Douglas, Isle of Man

A healthcare professional has an idea for an interesting research project. They see how things are working in their area and they are sure they can make it better. A research idea is conceived.

But this little idea’s struggle is far from over. The healthcare professional has lots of other competing tasks and responsibilities to think about. The idea tries to remain at the forefront of their mind, but maintaining dominance here is a constant struggle. Competing priorities advance on the idea and try and throw him out, the idea battles to regain precedence. Finally the idea manages to expel the others. Keeping the intruders away is a daily challenge for the small idea.

But the effort is not wasted. Having managed to secure the victory, the idea has taken seed in the mind of the healthcare professional. Here the idea settles and embeds further. Making a comfortable space where it can finally relax.

The healthcare professional, sensing that the idea has settled, decides to make time to put pen to paper. The more attention the idea receives, the stronger it grows. With each passing day the idea draws strength from the healthcare professional, whilst providing them with the inspiration to develop the idea into a research application. This symbiotic relationship thrives in this particular environment of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Finally, the idea has been transformed.

From the spark of a single thought, a complete research application has grown and thrived. It is ready to leave the cosy enclave of the healthcare professionals mind. Time to enter the world.

It is from here that the process begins. The research application strikes out alone, its destination the Research and Development Unit. Upon arriving, the application is quickly assessed by the team. Five areas are considered in turn. The research application is uneasy under this scrutiny.

The research application though everything was in order. But is seems there is something missing.

The research application has not been signed off by the correct personnel within the health care professional’s Directorate. Luckily the healthcare professional is alerted to this oversight and quickly corrects it. The research application has escaped this time. It can again relax before beginning its next journey.

Having passed the inspection of the five areas, there is a new challenge for the research application. The Isle of Man Research Ethics Committee looms. The research application has attempted to address all areas that may be thought of. Although confident, the application waits apprehensively. The application is scrutinised from an ethics perspective. The aims, methods and documentation dissected. The research application waits patiently.

Its efforts are rewarded.

The application is granted approval from the IOMREC.

The research application knows it has not got far to go now. With only two further approvals, the odds are in its favour.

The research application is assured that it has considered the financial and resource implications. There is safety in numbers and the application is sure it has included them all. The financial aspects of research are sometimes seen as unimportant. But that’s a long way from the truth. Joyfully, the research application receives approval. And it is on to the final stage.

Now the research application can sense the end in sight. Through the process it has grown from the spark of an idea to a fully-fledged protocol capable of creating new knowledge. At this point the application is assessed in all its glory by the CEO of the Department. The news is good. The research application is granted approval. The time has come for the research application to soar. New knowledge beckons!

From the journey of this one little research application we come to realise that ideas and curiosity are the backbone of our practice.

We have the skill, care and knowledge to ensure that there is a place for such ideas within our health and care system, in all their variety.

If we want to - and surely we should. For our Island is a magical Island.

- Dr. Becky Rowley