Paramedics as Researchers: A Systematic Review of Paramedic Perspectives of Engaging in Research Activity From Training to Practice.

BACKGROUND: The need for a stronger evidence-base in paramedicine has precipitated a rapid development of prehospital research agendas. Paramedics are increasingly involved in research, leading to changes in their role. Yet, the integration of research responsibilities has proven to be challenging, resulting in varying attitudes and levels of engagement. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to explore paramedics' views and experiences of research as researchers during training and within practice. METHODS: A systematic search was performed across six databases. Qualitative empirical peer-reviewed articles that discussed paramedic perspectives on engaging with research activity were included. Of 10,594 articles identified initially, 11 were included in the final synthesis after quality appraisal. Data were extracted and subjected to narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The following four themes were identified: motivation to engage, moral dilemmas, structural issues within the profession, and reflections on trial involvement. Attitudes toward research, understanding of related concepts, and the drive for patient benefit were interwoven core issues. CONCLUSIONS: Research was highly valued when links to patient benefit were obvious, however, this review highlights some cultural resistance to research, particularly regarding informed consent and changes to standard practice. Paramedic research methods training should provide structured opportunities to explore concerns and emphasize the role of research in developing a high-quality evidence base to underpin safe practice. Currently, there is inadequate organizational support for paramedics to engage effectively in research activity, with minimal allocations of time, training, and remuneration. Without properly integrating research activity into the paramedic role, their capacity to engage with research activity is limited.

Embedding the service user voice to co-produce UK mental health nurse education-A lived experience narrative.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Co-production aims to value service user voices and is increasingly used in healthcare. Less is known about how co-production in nursing education is experienced by service users. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This paper shares the experience of one service user who teaches student nurses in a UK university. For the first author, the paper highlights that co-producing nurse education has been valuable and rewarding for both a service user and students. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Co-production has the potential to benefit student nurses, including challenging their perceptions of 'difficult' patients. To achieve this, teaching sessions must be equally produced and delivered. By employing and including service users, universities have the potential to improve experiences for students and service users alike. ABSTRACT: Introduction Co-production is increasingly used in health care but there is less attention to a co-produced mental health nurse education. Aim This article sought to explore the co-production experiences of a service user who teaches mental health nurses, alongside the benefits of this to nurse education. Methods The article is a lived experience narrative co-written with a nursing lecturer. Thesis Co-produced mental health nurse education challenges students' perceptions towards self-harm and encourages empathy and understanding of service user distress. Implications for Practice Co-production has many benefits to nurse education including a positive student experience, and validation of the service user experience to support meaningful recovery.

Trumpet is an operating system for simple and robust cell-free biocomputing.

Biological computation is becoming a viable and fast-growing alternative to traditional electronic computing. Here we present a biocomputing technology called Trumpet: Transcriptional RNA Universal Multi-Purpose GatE PlaTform. Trumpet combines the simplicity and robustness of the simplest in vitro biocomputing methods, adding signal amplification and programmability, while avoiding common shortcomings of live cell-based biocomputing solutions. We have demonstrated the use of Trumpet to build all universal Boolean logic gates. We have also built a web-based platform for designing Trumpet gates and created a primitive processor by networking several gates as a proof-of-principle for future development. The Trumpet offers a change of paradigm in biocomputing, providing an efficient and easily programmable biological logic gate operating system.