Your Path In Research - Tessa Dean, Research Midwife, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
- 20 December 2022
- 1 min read
Tessa Dean is a Research Midwife at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. Here she talks about how research is different to traditional ward-based work.
Case Study: Tessa Dean
Tessa Dean is a Research Midwife at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. Here she talks about how research is different to traditional ward-based work.
Q: How did you become involved in health and care research?
A: I wanted to do some of my own research in the field of midwifery and started working in the Department of Clinical Research in order to increase my experience of research.
Q: Why did you get involved in research?
A: As above - and because I was looking for a new challenge beyond shift work in the maternity unit.
Q: What do you enjoy about working in health and care research?
A: It's a really fascinating mix of different things - patient care, organisation, networking, education.
Q: How can research benefit/add to your career?
A: It's a totally different and very varied role compared to traditional ward-based work.
Q: Why do you think health and care research is important?
A: Absolutely! Many aspects of maternity care are under researched so we need research to clarify how we should best look after women.
Q: What are your hopes for your career in research?
A: Continuing to combine work in clinical research with my own academic ambitions.
Q: Why is it important more people become involved in delivering health and care research?
A: They will learn about the importance of research and also the complexities of its delivery.
Q: What impacts have you seen research make in health and care?
A: In maternity guidelines are frequently updated to reflect new evidence as it is generated.
Q: What would you say to someone thinking of starting a career in research?
A: Go for it!!!
