Supporting clinicians to shape the future of research: Development of the Amputation Rehabilitation Research Network (ARRN)

Name: Chantel Ostler

Abstract

A recent systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in prosthetic and orthotics in the past 20 years found only 4 RCTs investigating prosthetic interventions. (Healy et al.,2018). This paucity of research makes using evidence to guide clinical decision making very challenging and indicates a need to develop more clinically focused research. Few clinical trials in the field have also led to a research skills gap, with clinicians who have the capacity and capability to deliver NHS based research in short supply. To address these issues greater collaboration between clinical teams and academic organisations is required. Clinical input is crucial to ensure research is meaningful, that study designs fit cohesively alongside care pathways and more obviously to recruit patients. Academic collaborators bring vital research knowledge and skills, and experience developing funding applications. Knowing how and where to develop collaborations in such a specialist field can be challenging for both academics and clinical teams, especially in the post covid virtual world. We therefore set about creating a network of multidisciplinary clinicians and academics actively researching in the field of amputation and prosthetic rehabilitation, or with an interest in getting involved in this work. The aim of the network was to enable a cohesive multi-disciplinary approach to the development, delivery, and dissemination of research within the field, and to support and promote evidence-based practice. The network provides a forum for discussion and collaboration, education, study updates, as well as dissemination of research findings related to amputation rehabilitation. By bringing clinicians and academics together, and enabling them to share experience and learning, the network aims to seed future research by ensuring it involves key stakeholders, is driven by issues of importance, and has meaningful clinical impact.