RFC Work Plan 2010 - 2011
Key objectives for this year
The survey of the membership and colleges elicited nearly 600 responses, and gives clear guidance for how the RFC can meet the needs of members.
In the survey, 54% of respondents thought that effectiveness of psychotherapy was the most important issue facing the UKCP. Effectiveness of psychotherapy was also seen as the most important issue facing specific colleges/modalities (52%) as well as being the most commonly identified area of research-related interest for members (37%).
The clear priority for members is greater research into the effectiveness of psychotherapy. This call for research is divided into three aspects:
- to demonstrate or prove the effectiveness of psychotherapy to funders, statutory bodies and the outside world
- to be able to evaluate one's own practice
- to be able to improve one's own practice through learning what others have found to be effective (practice relevant research).
The RFC is making it's priority in 2010-11 to respond to this clear request from members in the ways that were specified in the survey as most useful and accessible. Thus our objectives are:
- To demonstrate or prove the effectiveness of psychotherapy to funders, statutory bodies and the outside world. This will be done through:
- completing the briefing document on NICE for the campaign
- publishing the comprehensive view of research "What Else Works for Whom" (D. Winter et al)
- consulting on and establishing criteria and definitions of the full range of research methods appropriate to understanding the effectiveness of the psychotherapies. A final report of this will stand as the definitive UKCP position on evidence in the psychotherapies
- taking opportunities as they arise to promote the full range of therapies and ensure that the evidence base of effectiveness in practice is widely known (through meetings, preparation of briefing papers and publication of letters and articles in the print and web media).
- To assist members to be able to carry out research and evaluate their own practice the RFC will provide assistance to members who wish to do their own research (or participate with others in research) by:
- providing 2-3 day workshops, probably in the winter of 2011 of training in research methods and research training
- monitoring announcements of research funding and explore possibilities of coordinating applications from UKCP membership (throughout the year)
- initiating a mentor scheme where individuals wishing to do research are put in contact with other researchers in their geographical area or field of study.
- developing the Practitioner Research Networks (PRN) to enable practitioners to participate in research on specific topics - by convening meetings in different parts of the country (throughout the year) and setting up web-based communications.
- to assist members to improve their own practice through learning what others have found to be effective (practice relevant research).
In the survey respondents were clear that they felt that it was a priority for the research faculty to "disseminate practice related findings" particularly through The Psychotherapist, email alerts and research articles. Accordingly, the RFC will:
- write a research page in each issue of The Psychotherapist and publish a special research issue of The Psychotherapist in ....2011/2012
- prepare a review of recent developments in research by email string on a bi-monthly basis with references to research papers for further reading
- assist doctoral students to publish their research through Karnac books
- undertake the second national research conference (which will finalise and promulgate a specification of research for the psychotherapies) by July 2011
- complete the UPCA students research library and establish a UKCP research publications resource that is available to members.
In addition to these priority areas the research faculty committee will also:
- monitor announcements of government and other consultations and prepare briefs and responses as needed by UKCP (throughout the year)
- represent UKCP at national and international research meetings and conferences
- undertake reviews of evidence as requested by faculties and colleges
- provide workshops at UKCP regional events as they occur
- publish the results of the present survey, and undertake further surveys, focus groups and consultations to get feedback on the current programme and further establish priorities for future years
- establish a process by which research experts provide members with consultation to support their research.
UK Council for Psychotherapy | Registered Charity No. 1058545 | Company No. 3258939 Registered in England
