The Professional Standards Authority calls for proposals to speak at our annual Research Conference from those interested in how research can contribute to improving regulation and registration for patient safety and public protection.
This will be an in-person event taking place in Central London on 17 October 2024. The event will be held in collaboration with the team leading the NIHR-funded Witness to Harm project, Witness to harm, holding to account: improving patient, family and colleague witnesses’ experiences of Fitness to Practise proceedings. The team will present their multi-regulator research and recommendations into the experience in Fitness to Practise proceedings of the public who have been harmed. It will also include the initial impact of dissemination to regulators and the public, among other stakeholders, inviting further discussion on what changes may be made in the regulatory and wider health and care systems.
We invite proposals to speak on research linked to one of the following themes:
- Research focused on Fitness to Practise and similar processes – whether in relation to health and care professionals, their regulators and their employers in the UK, or in relation to other professions or elsewhere in the world.
- We are interested in receiving proposals on the introduction or implementation of victim impact statements within this or similar processes; and the adoption of trauma-informed policies, processes or practices; and approaches by regulators to witness vulnerability.
- We would also be particularly interested to receive proposals on equality, diversity and inclusion research in FtP, or relating to the process (for example, research on patterns of referral into FtP).
- Research on different aspects of sexual misconduct and other forms of interpersonal aggression, in relation to FtP, or more widely. For example, on how witnessing such misconduct impacts on trust in professionals, professions and institutions.
We will also consider proposals on any other regulatory research if you feel that the time is right for presentation and discussion. If the programme is busy, we may suggest alternatives, such as organising a discussion seminar with you on another date.
Proposals can focus on completed research, research that is work in progress, or proposed research you think should be undertaken to address gaps in knowledge. We welcome proposals relating to all types of research, including but not limited to, empirical, analytic, theoretical and mixed methods.
Your proposal should include a short description of the proposed content, with a link to any published report or article relating to it. Please also set out how you would like to present and for how long. For example, in a workshop format, presentation with Q&A, discussion seminar, poster or other. We invite proposals for presentation in any format, so that we can put together an engaging day giving opportunities for presentation, reflection and discussion.
If you are considering making a submission but are unsure about the theme, format or the process, please get in touch and we’ll be glad to discuss your ideas and questions with you. If you are interested in attending the conference, you can also get in touch with Douglas at the email address above.
In 2023, our research conference focused on ‘How can regulation research contribute to safer care for all?’ and you can find out more about the speakers and presentations here.