A recent systematic review found that healthcare organisations that embed research into their work don't just generate publications; they also deliver better care. The study found that report improved health outcomes in terms of reduced mortality or morbidity as well as broader impact on healthcare performance (Boaz et al., 2024).
There is also evidence staff involved in research have greater job satisfaction and staff turnover is lower in research active trusts. They also show improved patient and carer experiences (NHS England, 2023).
Finally, and for the benefit of the finance director, healthcare organisations can generate significant income from research. Companies pay a per-patient fee for recruiting and managing research participants. In 2024, the average per-patient payment for commercial trials sponsored by the NIHR Clinical Research Network equated to £28,808 (NIHR, 2025).
How can healthcare organisations embed a research culture?
This is not about turning hospitals or trusts into universities, or staff into eminent professors. Rather, it's a case of seeking the right support and making some quick and easy changes to how things are done.
A good place to start is to find out what is already happening in the organisation. Staff surveys can help quantify involvement in research as well as the appetite for, and barriers against, further involvement.
It's also a good idea to review relevant resources that can support research involvement. For example, guidance has been published to support the engagement of healthcare workforce in health and social care research. The Multi-professional practice-based research capabilities framework highlights and promotes active involvement in research as an integral component of practice for practice-based health and care professionals.
A good research culture involves all staff groups. While active research involvement is often seen as something primarily for medical staff, this simply isn't true. For example, the Making research matter guidance sets out a policy framework for developing and investing in nursing related research activity across the NHS.
Governance is important of course. While healthcare research is in the interests of patients, service users and the public, it's crucial that ethical conduct and proportionate, assurance-based management is employed. The UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research sets out principles of good practice when engaging in research which can help protect both staff and research participants.
Finally, good research is fuelled by good partnerships. In any given area, healthcare organisations will be able to collaborate with system partners in research activity. For example, local authorities, including public health teams, are increasingly turning their innovative work into actionable research. They are increasingly securing funding for studies from schemes such as those operated by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. These enable partnership not only with local authorities, but also university research teams. A good example is the Health Determinants Research Collaboration programme that is already up and running across the UK.
Now is the time
There's never been a better time for healthcare organisations to develop their research work. It's a time of change, with structural reforms and new national initiatives such as neighbourhood health. Change, when tackled positively, can breed innovation. And innovation, in turn, is the lifeblood of good research.
There are so many research questions that can be addressed right now. These cover everything from the value of emerging technology to the question of how to effectively tackle growing health inequality.
The opportunities that research creates, including improved health outcomes, more engaged staff and income generation, are already being grasped by NHS trusts and other healthcare organisations across the UK. So, make sure your organisation doesn't miss out.
