An evaluation of pre-registration research teaching provision for operating department practice students

Background: Understanding and engaging in and with research is a professional obligation of both student and registered operating department practitioners. This study was designed to explore how research is embedded into operating department practice undergraduate pre-registration curriculum. Method: Data collection took place via a questionnaire sent to programme leaders at Higher Education Institutions who deliver Health and Care Professions Council–validated operating department practice programmes. Overall, 30 higher education institutions were invited to participate, with 14 higher education institutions completing the questionnaire. The data were thematically analysed. Findings: It was identified that some aspects of research are embedded throughout operating department practice programmes, with a broad focus on research methodologies, methods and ethical considerations. The evidence supports the hypothesis that operating department practitioner students are undertaking primary and secondary research. However, there is limited evidence of dissemination. This work has identified the perceived barriers and challenges to embedding research in undergraduate programmes and the limited use of enrichment activities. This has led the authors to identify some areas worthy of further exploration and recommendations for the future.