Training success for PRC: Leicester’s Dr Harriet Morgan
Clinical Research Physician Harriet Morgan
Clinical Research Physician, Harriet Morgan has successfully completed the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s (NIHR) Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme.
The six-month scheme aims to give healthcare professionals who would not normally have the opportunity to work in clinical research in their day-to-day role the chance to experience what it means to work on and deliver an NIHR portfolio trial under the mentorship of a local Principal Investigator (PI). A PI is the individual responsible for the conduct of the research at the research site.
Harriet joined NIHR’s Patient Recruitment Centre (PRC): Leicester, based in the Leicester Diabetes Centre, from Tema General Hospital in Ghana in July 2023 for a two-year post as a Clinical Research Physician.
We asked Harriet to share her experiences of the scheme.
“The Associate PI scheme has taught me a lot about how research is organised and conducted in the UK. I learnt that research advances the health and wealth of the nation, as investments are made into health and new treatments are discovered. As a result, patients who receive care in research-active centres tend to have better outcomes compared to those who do not.
“I have also gained deeper insights into the organisation and structure of research, from the research proposal stage to the ethics committee review right to the on-site delivery.
“It is important that research is conducted in a wide and diverse patient population so that results obtained can be applicable to the wider community”.
“The training I have received means I am now aware of the steps needed to carry out research successfully. I have been equipped with the necessary skills to lead and be a PI on a future project.
“The sessions were well organised; they were broken down and delivered in a systematic way. The optional GRANULE course, which is designed to assist trainees with the practical skills needed to recruit patients into randomised surgical trials, included sessions on randomisation and clinical equipoise. These sessions have helped me to better understand how to explain these concepts to research participants in a way that helps them to make an informed decision about taking part in research.
“I would encourage anyone eligible to enrol in the scheme as it would be a time very well spent. Thank you to Gail Melvin and to my mentor Professor Melanie Davies for signposting me to the scheme. I am very grateful for the guidance and to the research sponsor for enrolling their study onto the programme.”
Professor Melanie Davies, Clinical Director for PRC: Leicester, adds: “It is delightful to have Harriet working with us and to have been able to mentor her through the Associate PI Scheme. Being able to support research staff to forge ahead with their careers is a great responsibility and something I take pride in.”
If you are a healthcare professional interested in learning more about the NIHR’s Associate PI Scheme and how to apply visit: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/health-and-care-professionals/training/associate-principal-investigator-scheme.htm