Throughout October, we're showcasing our Nottinghamshire Healthcare colleagues, and the path they have taken into research. To discover Your Path in Research, visit the National Institute of Health Research website for information and inspiration.
Clinical Psychologist and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Eirini Kontou shares her path in research, and how vital it is for improving outcomes for people with brain injury. Eirini encourages anyone thinking of a research career to 'take a leap of faith.'
Who or what inspired you to get involved in research?
The opportunity to work with Professor Nadina Lincoln on a small-scale research project on the emotional health of stroke survivors and their families. This experience introduced me to clinical research for improving the lives of people affected by brain injury. It led to a PhD funding proposal and a career as a clinical psychologist.
How has working on research projects changed your day to day practice?
Being a clinical academic gives me the opportunity to keep up to date with new research and to find answers to questions that are important to our service users and their families. My research encourages me to look for the evidence-based information to support my everyday practice as a clinical psychologist in a busy clinical setting.
Did you face any challenges when you wanted to get involved in research?
Like many I have faced challenges, such as securing the funding or resources to do my own research alongside a demanding clinical role. Each challenge has provided an opportunity to learn something new and to sustain my motivation for a career path as a clinical academic. There was always support along the way from colleagues and mentors.
How have you involved patients in your research?
By presenting my ideas to our patient and public involvement partners so that we can address the most important research questions. I aim to have open and honest conversations about what we can do better and how we can make our research projects more accessible.
How would you encourage your colleagues to get involved with research?
I would suggest to take a leap of faith and reach out to their organisation’s research and development networks. Start by contacting other colleagues who are involved in research and they can help you to pull your ideas together.
What's your research ambition?
My ambition is to lead on research projects that are innovative, clinically relevant and with the potential to make a positive difference in the provision of neuropsychological services after brain injury. I want to be involved in research that leads to patient benefit and can provide a meaningful contribution to healthcare delivery.
How does research make a difference to the NHS? (Or to your service?)
Research is vital in helping the NHS to become more effective. Through research we can change the way healthcare services are delivered and we can better understand how to improve people’s health and well-being. My clinical role in stroke exists because of the research evidence highlighting the need for the provision of psychological care.
To discover what your path in research might be, take a look online or email