The ICA Fellowship is jointly awarded by Health Education England (HEE) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), and is designed to provide research training for health and social care professionals (excluding doctors and dentists), who wish to develop careers that combine practice and professional development.
As a Senior Dietician, Colette will be able to continue her clinical work, but also now build in a significant portion of research and career development into her time. The ICA award will fund her salary, research costs, training and development plan, as well as patient and public involvement, for three years, meaning she can continue to see patients, whilst addressing some key research needs within her field. She describes this research and what it will achieve:
My research focuses on the determinants of quality of life impairment in patients with intestinal failure. In a largely evidence free zone, I will develop a sound theoretical basis of the relationship between intestinal failure and quality of life, with a focus around liver disease and multimorbidity.
This new knowledge will feed into post-doctoral intervention studies aimed at improving clinical outcomes and therefore the quality of life of patients.
The award builds on Colette’s previous success in gaining a year’s funding through the NIHR Newcastle BRC, through which she began this research and was able to prepare for a clinically-focussed PhD.
The NIHR Newcastle BRC provides significant investment in supporting the next generation of translational researchers who wish to develop their careers. We support those at the beginning of their careers, right through to senior research roles, and from a range of professional backgrounds.
Dr Ellen Tullo, Training Lead for the Newcastle BRC comments:
Colette is a wonderful example of what we strive to achieve at the Newcastle BRC. Her interest in research has blossomed from her clinical work, and we are delighted that we’re able to support her in taking this next step, bringing benefit to patients and the NHS. We wish Colette every success with her award.
Reflecting on her new challenges, Colette adds:
I am beyond delighted to have been awarded this Fellowship. Getting to this point has definitely been a journey with many ups and downs but hard work and determination pay off.
Without the support given to me by the Newcastle BRC, my patients, clinicians, mentors and supervisors, I would never have gotten to this point, thank you, you are the best!