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

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.