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. 2024 Aug;29(4-5):305-317.
doi: 10.1177/17449871241232332. Epub 2024 May 13.

Supporting healthcare professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds to 'Step Into' a clinical academic career

Louise Bramley  1 , Carmel Bond  2   3 , Gemma Stacey  4 , Eleanore Dring  5 , Alison Cowley  6   7 , Vicky Booth  8 , Helen Janiszewski  9 , Joanne Cooper  10
Affiliations

Supporting healthcare professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds to 'Step Into' a clinical academic career

Louise Bramley et al. J Res Nurs. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Background: There is a need to develop research focussed healthcare professionals with the clinical experience and academic skills to meet the needs of a diverse population. Yet, healthcare professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds are often faced with personal, structural or organisational barriers, which prevent them from accessing and applying for development opportunities.

Aim: To undertake an evaluation of the Step into Clinical Academic Careers' programme. The programme was designed specifically for nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals (NMAHPs) working in NHS organisations, from ethnic minority backgrounds, who had the ambition to pursue a research or clinical academic career.

Methods: Qualitative individual interviews and online evaluations were conducted to identify the views, perspectives and experiences of participants who undertook the programme. Participants were also followed up after 6 months.

Results: Participants provided insights into four key areas relating to outcomes of the programme. These were (1) increased confidence, (2) increased motivation, (3) developing networks and (4) inspiring people.

Conclusions: Organisations must work purposefully and collaboratively to realise equitable support for individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, through targeted mentoring and leadership development training. Failure to do this will result in a continuation of limited diversity amongst clinical academic and clinical research leaders.

Keywords: Allied Healthcare Professionals, clinical academic; equality; ethnic minorities; midwives, nurses; research.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: All co-authors are employees of the Institutions described in the manuscript and Louise Bramley is a member of the JRN Editorial Board.

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