Integration of research into psychiatric practice: a guide for new investigators and the scholarly project

Background: There is an increased interest among fellows and trainees in incorporating research into clinical practice. This fits with the paradigm of evidence-based mental healthcare. Acquiring clinical research skills can occur any stage in a career, from trainee to senior Fellow. The integrated clinical psychiatrist-scientist is the aspiration for including research training in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ Competency-Based Fellowship Programme (CBFP), though the mandatory scholarly project training requirement. A psychiatrist should have well-developed skills for interpreting, explaining and applying research in practice. This symposium aims to inform novice researchers about the process of research including statistics, rating scales publishing, co-creation with community members and upscaling small projects into larger research projects. Objectives: This symposium is designed for registrars and fellows who have an interest in better integration of research with their clinical practice. It will particularly assist registrars planning their approach to the Scholarly Project. The symposium will provide information about how to survive in research, including addressing the following questions of how to:• avoid predatory journals;• co-create research with community members;• upscale small research into larger projects;• understand and apply statistical techniques; and• use rating scales. Methods: A series of individual presentations will be followed by group discussion with the presenting panel. Findings: This symposium will provide practical approaches to starting out in research for the novice investigator, irrespective of stage of training or Fellowship. Conclusions: Research can be a highly rewarding activity; the provision of information can demystify the process and create a clear pathway to success.