Feedback from a Student Midwife Flexible Placement with the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network.
March 3, 2025
The NICRN have recently been involved in delivery of a Q&A session for nursing undergraduate students at Queens University Belfast. Therefore, it was very positive when Kerry Fairless from the Children`s Group contacted the staff management team to propose that we facilitate a flexible placement for a 3rd year midwifery student. With thanks to Kerry for arranging the day, and our communication with university contacts, we managed to make this happen. Karla had expressed her interest in having a flexible placement with the children`s clinical research team in the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital Belfast. During her one day placement, Karla was provided with insight to the children`s research portfolio, which consists of obstetric, neonatal and children`s research. The feedback provided was that this placement was of benefit, and hopefully our teams within the NICRN can facilitate similar experiences for students in the future.
Karla reflected on her time with the NICRN:
I’m Karla, I’m a 3rd year midwifery student at Queen’s University Belfast. As part of my flexible placement, I was keen to attend the NICRN to gain a better knowledge and understanding of the role of a clinical research co-ordinator.
I was first exposed to the NICRN midwives whilst on placement in the NICU in 2nd year. During this placement, I had the opportunity to care for some of the infants involved in the open trials in the NNU, SurfON and DOLFIN. Whilst caring for these infants, I was able to talk with the NICRN midwives and learn about the expectations of the trials, inclusion/exclusion criteria, the research processes and the expected duration and potential outcomes from the investigations. I also came across the same research midwives in the Fetal Medicine Unit, where another trial was in progress, FERN. As a result of these interactions, I became very interested in finding out more about clinical trials and the importance of them for guiding evidenced based practice.
When I had to arrange a flexible placement in an area of my choice, I immediately thought of the NICRN team to see the work that goes into implementing these trials and how they ensure trials run without bias or complications. Kerry a midwife in the NICRN team, who had been one of my previous mentors in maternity, explained each of the areas involved in the implementation of clinical trials, from study setup to archiving.
I was shown where trial data is kept, to ensure confidentiality of patient’s records and was taken to the NNU and RBHSC to see participants currently involved in trials. I observed the paperwork and the processes involved in delivering clinical trials, from a research co-ordinator perspective, and the protocols that ensure trials run effectively. I also observed the innovative ideas the team used to encourage recruitment and engagement of the wider medical and nursing teams on the wards. I observed the electronic data collection platforms and learnt how and why serious adverse events should be reported.
I feel this day of placement was very beneficial and only wish I could have had additional time with the team. I was very interested to see that midwives can be involved in clinical research within HSC settings, something that I may consider later in my career as a potential career pathway. I feel it is very important, for students like myself, to know there are many opportunities to develop in this important area and I thank the NICRN children’s team for facilitating my very enjoyable day!