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Exploring the unique value of clinician scientist roles to the health services in which they are employed: A scoping review.

Peter Buttrum, Prudence Butler, Adrienne Young , Diann Eley , Shaun O'Leary

Abstract

Objective: This scoping review explored the unique value or impacts of clinician scientists (CS’s) to the health services in which they work, as well as metrics used to identify and measure this value. Methods: Five databases, grey literature, and the internet were searched in April 2024 to identify articles which described and measured the value or impact of CS’s within clinical health services. CS’s were defined as having dual clinical and research qualifications and work duties. Articles were screened at title, abstract and full text level against inclusion and exclusion criteria, before extracting data and analysing the included articles. Results: The search identified 5,368 articles, with six eligible for inclusion. Articles were qualitative in nature (structured interviews or multiple case study reports) and had relatively few participants. The reported value or impacts included educating colleagues on research skills and processes, promoting evidence-based practice, fostering inter-institutional collaboration, and conducting clinically relevant research. No articles recommended a detailed suite of metrics as to how this value or impact could be measured. Conclusions: There is limited literature describing the unique value or impact of CS’s to the health services in which they work. While some articles described aspects of CS value, no articles provided metrics for how specific CS value could be measured.

AH24231  Accepted 04 February 2025

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