Skip to main content

Q&A: Getting started in research

How can I get off on the right foot with respect to conducting research early in my career? 

I believe that establishing a clinical practice should be the top priority of clinical pharmacists completing their training and starting their first position. That said, I have observed that individuals who do not get an early start in research and other scholarly activities have difficulty incorporating these activities into their schedule at later time points. I commend you for “thinking ahead” with this question and have some suggestions to help you navigate your first independent steps in research: 

  1. Join a winning team: Find out who is doing successful research that you are passionate about (grants, publications, etc.). Set up a meeting with that individual and discuss how you can get involved. 

  1. Get a research mentor: Find someone you admire who is successfully doing research (you will need his or her CV), and set up a meeting to discuss establishing a mentoring relationship. 

  1. Start writing every day: I recommend reviewing the literature in an area in which you WOULD LIKE to become known and submitting your ideas in this area for publication. Make sure it is something that HAS NOT recently been reviewed by others. If you have never written a review, collaborate with someone who has published reviews in the journals you read! 

  1. Keep a running list of potential research ideas on an index card in your white coat pocket: These ideas should be garnered from questions that come up in your practice. When you can, perform an extensive literature search on the questions to see whether they have already been addressed. If there are doubts regarding how to answer your clinical questions or conflicting reports in the literature, it may be a good idea to pursue these areas of research. 

  1. Attend scientific meetings and seminars both inside and outside your area, virtually and in person, when you can: Finding out what other people are doing can be inspiring and can generate new ideas! 

  1. Look for opportunities to improve your skills: Many professional organizations offer training programs in research and scholarship (ACCP Foundation MeRIT Program and ACCP Academy Research and Scholarship Certificate Program). Sign up! Keep learning! 

 

If you do these six things in the first year of your new position, you will definitely be off on the right foot in research! 

 

Susan C. Fagan, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS 

Distinguished Research Professor 

Jowdy Professor 

Professor Emeritus 

University of Georgia College of Pharmacy 

Augusta, Georgia 

Copyright ©  by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. All rights reserved. This publication is protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, without prior written permission of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Disclaimer: The thoughts, views, and opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). These articles are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as medical, legal, or financial advice. This information is intended for a clinical pharmacy audience, but is not a substitute for professional judgment. ACCP disclaims all liability regarding any actions taken or not taken based on this information, including impact on patient care and the decisions made by the individual providing care. Reliance on any information provided on this site or any linked website is solely at your own risk.