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Clinical Research Fellow recommends ‘extremely rewarding’ opportunity of working with Network
2nd September 2024
A Clinical Research Fellow has enthused about his experience of working with the NHS Research Scotland Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network (NRS NDN) and has recommended it to others
Dr Joe Farrimond believes in the need to strengthen the research culture in the NHS and increase capacity so was delighted to join the Network in August last year following the completion of his foundation training at NHS Tayside.
He said: “I would absolutely recommend this position to any junior doctors who are interested in getting involved in research.
“It provides the opportunity to be a part of the delivery of exciting new drug trials that could potentially change the way we manage some of the most challenging neurological conditions, and the strong bonds you develop with both staff and trial participants adds to the unique experience of being a junior doctor in clinical research.”
Creating a positive culture across the NHS, where all staff feel empowered and supported to participate in research, development, and innovation (RDI) is vital. Fellowships are part of efforts to create the capacity and capability for talented, diverse, clinicians from all professional groups to develop skills to equip them as future leaders, whilst simultaneously supporting efforts to radically transform health and social care delivery.
Discussing how the opportunity first came about, Joe said: “During my second foundation year, I had a rotation in psychiatry of old age (POA) and got on very well with the team there. This led to the option of continuing my work with POA and splitting my time with this and research.
“Being a later in life medic and coming from a research science background, this seemed like an excellent opportunity to be more involved in the hands-on delivery of care to patients who are keen to be involved in the cutting-edge of drug development for a variety of conditions.”
Splitting his role between research and running memory clinics, Joe said the position was created with the intent to see and review patients in clinic, identify suitable candidates for trials, and provide them with ‘permission to contact’ forms if interested in participating.
He said: “The main workload of the NDN at the moment focuses on trials for Parkinson’s Disease and this mix of clinic and research work has been a unique and invaluable opportunity that I have gained a great deal from.”
His role within NRS NDN focuses on reviewing patients when they attend for visits, including “adverse events in health, medication changes, ECG interpretations as well as physical and neurological examinations”.
He is also responsible for pre-screening patients prior to their enrolment in a study to ensure they satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as reviewing test results and liaising with primary healthcare accordingly.
Joe said the experience has been overwhelmingly positive, noting the team is a “close-knit, friendly group that is extremely supportive and committed to providing the best possible experience for participants in clinical trials”.
He noted that that there were challenges to be expected, including “seeing patients who may be severely affected by their condition continue to deteriorate throughout the course of a trial,” particularly when “a participant and their family are emotionally committed".
However, Joe added: “Being involved in research from a junior doctor’s perspective is extremely rewarding as you get to be a part of delivering the results of cutting-edge research into some extremely debilitating and life-limiting conditions.”
Network Manager for NRS NDN, Jacqui Kerr said: “Joe has been a real pleasure to work with and I’m delighted that he’s found it to be a great experience too.
“He has really helped to progress our ambitions, demonstrating the powerful contribution which individuals can make when working within a well-coordinated team.
“We wish him the best of luck in the next stage of his exciting career.”
Joe completed his first degree in Infectious Diseases at Edinburgh University in 2013 and went on to pursue a research masters in this area, graduating in 2015. He then studied medicine at the University of Dundee and following his graduation in 2021, remained within NHS Tayside to complete his foundation training and subsequently his clinical fellowship. While he has a strong research background and enjoys areas of medicine that prioritise good communication skills, he ultimately favours practical procedures and high-pressure environments, and hopes to go into acute care and anaesthesia which he will apply for following his next endeavour – a stint of emergency medicine in New Zealand.
