Insights into the barriers and enablers faced by nurse/midwife clinician researchers in Australia

Abstract

BackgroundClinician researchers are described as health professionals who conduct research and provide clinical care. Whilst this dual expertise is common in medicine and increasingly in allied health disciplines, fewer nurses and midwives are engaged in clinician researcher roles. AimThis study aimed to understand the barriers and enablers experienced by clinician researchers in nursing and midwifery in the Australian health systems. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with current nurse or midwife clinician researchers in Australia. Participants were classified as clinician researchers if they were registered nurses or midwives currently practising clinically whilst concurrently engaged in research. Interview data were analysed using iterative thematic analysis. In total, 15 interviews were conducted. FindingsKey themes identified included (i) perceived value; (ii) structural factors; and (iii) personal factors. Nurse and midwife clinician researchers reported feeling challenged by the absence of a clear career trajectory, and the constant undervaluing of nurse and midwife clinician researchers by health service leaders and peers. DiscussionBarriers included insufficient funding, motivation, mentorship, and leadership support. Enablers included protected research time, leadership support, and capacity-building. Participants also proposed changes to support clinician researcher career progression. These suggestions were used to put forward evidence-based recommendations for such a pathway. ConclusionThis study highlighted the need for a clearly articulated workforce model to support sustainable clinician researcher careers for nurses and midwives to overcome these barriers.