The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust RESEARCH STRATEGY 2015-2019 CSP Charitable Trust Registered Charity No. 279882
Contents Foreword 1 Foreword 2 2 Introduction 2 3 Where are we now? 4 3.1 Research we fund 4 3.2 The research portfolio 5 3.3 Supporting different stages of the CSP member s career 5 3.4 Focus on supporting research activities 5 4 What do we want to achieve in the future? 6 4.1 To learn about what interventions and services work for the individual with a health condition and the public as a whole that represent good value for money 6 4.2 To focus on priority areas 6 4.3 To encourage novelty 6 4.4 To provide opportunities for our research active profession throughout their careers 6 4.5 To maximise the impact of the research we fund 6 5 Measuring the impact of our research strategy and the research we fund 6 The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust (CSP Charitable Trust) is committed to funding and supporting high quality, relevant research to improve the quality of life of people who receive physiotherapy interventions and services. The CSP Charitable Trust is uniquely placed to support the development of research that leads to real improvements in the treatment and the provision of many different types of services. The Trust has had a long standing investment in research and we hope this investment will continue to transform lives. To ensure this remains the case, the CSP Charitable Trust research strategy has been developed with the involvement of our research community, the CSP Scientific Panel and CSP Educational Awards Panel. It outlines our progress to date and sets out what the CSP Charitable Trust aspires to achieve until 2020. The CSP Charitable Trust will realise this strategy through supporting a balanced portfolio of research with continued development of research partnerships and providing seed funding opportunities. Along with the CSP the CSP Charitable Trust will continue to support priority areas of research for individuals with health conditions. This will result in the CSP Charitable Trust achieving its vision that all individuals with a health condition requiring physiotherapy have timely access to appropriate clinical and cost-effective services. 6 Concluding remarks 7 References 7 Sue England Grad Dip Phys MCSP DSA(CSP) Chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust 2 The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust Research Strategy 2015-2019
Introduction The CSP Charitable Trust supports research projects to fund the advancement of excellence in physiotherapy practice, the foundations of which are research, evidence based practice and continuing professional development. Over the last five years the CSP Charitable Trust has awarded more than 457,000 per year in research, educational and continuing development grants to full CSP members. The CSP Charitable Trust supports advances within the physiotherapy profession to ensure that there is maximum impact on individuals with health conditions. The purpose of this strategy is to set out what the CSP Charitable Trust is looking to achieve over the next five years through funding research and how it will seek to realise these aims. This will enable physiotherapists, the public they benefit, and the research community to identify the CSP Charitable Trust s priorities. It will also highlight to external organisations where there are mutual research interests.
3 Where are we now? 3.1 Research we fund CSP Charitable Trust funding supports projects which have a real impact on practice and those receiving physiotherapy treatment. For example Borthwick and colleagues (1) looked to simplify a tool which measures breast cancer-related lymphedema. The new figure of eight tool for measuring hand size proved to be reliable, valid and has simplified the need for complex equipment to be used when examining these individuals. Gunn and colleagues (2) found through an observational study of those with multiple sclerosis that there are certain factors associated with those that regularly fall (3). This was key to understanding this vulnerable group of fallers. The results have fed into further funded research developing falls services targeted specifically to the needs of people with multiple sclerosis. This grant holder and others have capitalised on the opportunity to develop the evidence further through larger trials funded by other organisations. For example McClurg and colleagues (4) were able to inform the design of a larger trial looking into perioperative pelvic floor training and the potential effect this may have on pelvic organ prolapse recurrence through seed funding provided by the CSP Charitable Trust. The CSP Charitable Trust also supports research that enables physiotherapists to have a better understanding of practice. Funded studies have increased knowledge and understanding of the underlying mechanisms which contribute to the theory of practice. For example researchers (5) were able to better understand the effects of movement speed during training on learning, which then informed studies on people who have had a stroke. A qualitative study, becoming a practice profession: a genealogy of physiotherapy s moving/touching practices ; undertaken by Gwyn Owen, traces the evolution of physiotherapy practice through the CSP s qualifying curricula. This research offers a historic perspective for understanding physiotherapy s current position and for thinking critically about its future. Over the last five years through commissioned research and unique legacies the CSP Charitable Trust has been able to support particular areas of research. For example, a recent legacy supports projects solely for novice researchers in the area of paediatric non acquired brain injury and paediatric cerebral palsy. Larger commissioned calls for funds have awarded funding to Arthritis Research UK Fellow Dr Nicola Walsh and National Institute for Health Research Professor Nadine Foster for projects tackling how healthcare is delivered. Nicola s research team are currently delivering a single-blind cluster randomised controlled trial that will determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of an exercise and self management programme compared with General Practitioner (GP) standard care. This trial seeks to establish an alternative and streamlined way of treating individuals who are over 50 and have multiple degenerative joint problems causing them pain (6). Professor Foster s STEMS study is a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial
that assesses the feasibility of a future large trial to compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the additional offer of self-referral to physiotherapy versus continuing with usual GP led care alone for adults with common musculoskeletal problems. Through these research projects the trust looks to increase understanding of the most effective way that physiotherapy interventions can be delivered to give maximum benefit to individuals with a health condition. 3.2 The research portfolio The CSP Charitable Trust offers a variety of funding opportunities through researcher led, commissioned and partnership funding projects that have enabled research priority areas to be developed whilst supporting innovation and new thinking. A partnership funding initiative with Action Medical Research focusing on paediatric research seeks to maximise the impact of the research funds. The funded projects seek to improve the quality of life of children who have paediatric non acquired brain injury and paediatric cerebral palsy. 3.3 Supporting different stages of the CSP member s career The CSP Charitable Trust holds a unique position enabling physiotherapy practitioners, researchers and educators to advance their skills. The CSP Charitable Trust aims to develop a vibrant research community working to benefit those with health conditions and public health as a whole. The CSP Charitable Trust supports novice researchers and those undertaking PhD, Prof Doc, MSc, MRes studies through researcher led projects. More experienced researchers are supported through larger grants. The CSP Charitable Trust commissions research based around priority areas of need for the profession. In recent years these funds have been targeted at experienced researchers with a successful track record of managing larger grants and have been based on CSP Research Priorities www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/ research/priorities/csp-research-priorities-project-2010. 3.4 Focus on supporting research activities The CSP Charitable Trust supports post graduates and provides opportunities to disseminate research results by attending international and national conferences, including Physiotherapy UK. Support with funding for open access journal fees is also provided. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust Research Strategy 2015-2019 5
4 What do we want to achieve in the future? 4.1 To learn about what interventions and services work for the individual with a health condition and the public as a whole that represent good value for money The CSP Charitable Trust supports research which makes a difference to individuals with a health condition, and could lead to impacts on the public s health and wellbeing. The CSP Charitable Trust focuses on the cost-effectiveness of interventions and assesses whether these treatments have the potential to be widely available for those accessing healthcare. 4.2 To focus on priority areas The focus is on filling the gaps in evidence identified through the CSP Research Priorities exercise particularly where the evidence needs to be developed, or is of particular importance and relevance to the profession. The CSP Charitable Trust s future focus includes a spotlight on priority areas for the CSP including public health, rehabilitation as well as new and innovative service delivery models which pave the way in a fluid and evolving health care environment. 4.3 To encourage novelty The CSP Charitable Trust focuses on research where the creation of new knowledge advances science and supports innovation in clinical practice. The CSP Charitable Trust focuses on research where the creation of knowledge advances science and supports innovation in clinical practice through response mode research opportunities. 4.4 To provide opportunities for our research active profession throughout their careers The CSP Charitable Trust develops a vibrant and diverse community that produces, embraces and implements high quality research from a broad range of methodological perspectives. 4.5 To maximise the impact of the research we fund The trust looks to fund feasibility studies which provides the knowledge which enables the researchers to apply for funds through government funding streams. The trust will continue to develop strategic funding partnerships that maximise the impact where there is an area of mutual benefit for both parties. 5 Measuring the impact of our research strategy and the research we fund 5.1 To review research strategy and impact The CSP Charitable Trust will review the research strategy on an annual basis to ensure that its implementation reflects core areas of future focus. The CSP Charitable Trust aims to review the outputs and impact of the research it funds using Researchfish. 6
Concluding remarks The CSP Charitable Trust is expected to ensure a wide portfolio of work is funded to achieve maximum impact and benefit for all individuals that receive physiotherapy. The CSP Charitable Trust continues to evolve in ways that support this notion and respond to new priority areas where the focus is on making a difference and transforming lives. The journey in achieving this aim continues, but developing the evidence base around this area that is so readily applicable to people s lives is invaluable. The CSP Charitable Trust will endeavour to continue to support research and the capacity of the profession to produce the level of evidence that is required to benefit those who need it the most the individuals themselves. Catherine McLoughlin, Lay Trustee member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust References 1. Borthwick Y, Paul L, Sneddon M, et al. Reliability and validity of the figure-of-eight method of measuring hand size in patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema. European Journal of Cancer Care. 2013 Mar;22(2):196-201. 2. Gunn H, Creanor S, Haas B, et al. Risk factors for falls in multiple sclerosis: an observational study. Multiple Sclerosis. 2013 Dec;19(14):1913-22. 3. Gunn H, Creanor S, Haas B, et al. Frequency, characteristics, and consequences of falls in multiple sclerosis: findings from a cohort study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2014 Mar;95(3):538-45. 4. McClurg D, Hilton P, Dolan L, et al. Pelvic floor muscle training as an adjunct to prolapse surgery: a randomised feasibility study. International Urogynecology Journal. 2014 Jul;25(7):883-91. 5. Hammerbeck U, Yousif N, Greenwood R, et al. Movement speed is biased by prior experience. Journal of Neurophysiology. 2014 Jan;111(1):128-34. 6. Walsh N, Cramp F, Palmer S, et al. Exercise and selfmanagement for people with chronic knee, hip or lower back pain: a cluster randomised controlled trial of clinical and cost-effectiveness. Study protocol. Physiotherapy. 2013 Dec;99(4):352- The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust Research Strategy 2015-2019 7
14 Bedford Row London WC1R 4ED Web www.csp.org.uk Email enquiries@csp.org.uk Tel +44 (0)20 7306 6666 The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, educational and trade union body for the United Kingdom s 52,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers. 001194 December 2014