BOPA Research Subcommittee Introduction Information

Welcome to the BOPA Research Subcommittee.

The aim of the Research Subcommittee is to support the cancer pharmacy workforce to embed research and innovation into routine practice. The subcommittee meet once a month virtually. The meetings are held on Tuesday or Wednesday lunchtimes alternate month.

Each meeting follows a similar agenda where the progress of the subcommittee’s workstreams is discussed. As a member of the BOPA Research Subcommittee, participation in one or more of the workstreams is essential. The workstreams are detailed below and if you would like to be involved then please contact the subcommittee co-chairs, express your interest during the meeting or via email afterwards.

The active workstreams include:

My Research Webinar: Arranging regular webinars where guest speakers present their recent work.

Conference: Arranging the research stream sessions at the BOPA’s annual conference e.g. arranging speakers and topics for presentation.

Abstracts: Each year all members of the Research Subcommittee are encouraged to be involved in marking abstract submissions for the annual conference. This is a significant task and therefore more efficient if shared amongst as many committee members as possible. Subcommittee members involved in this workstream will contribute to organising the presentation of posters at the conference and publishing of the abstract booklet.

PRUK/BOPA annual grant: The applications for this grant are reviewed and awarded by the workstream leads.

Research mentorship: Research mentorship is on offer to members from experienced pharmacists. Details need to be updated to ensure the list on the website is accurate and that the availability of mentorship is promoted. Mentorship is a way of providing support for those undertaking oncology pharmacy research projects.

Collaborative research: Promoting greater collaborative research to bring together establishments regionally and nationally to generate evidence that can support clinical decision making and improve practice.

Cancer Pharmacy technicians: Increase the role of pharmacy technicians in oncology pharmacy research and widening their capability in research.

Research Hub: Updating and maintaining the information on the Research Hub section of the BOPA website.

AI: A new workstream to explore how AI can be safely used to aid research efforts including abstract marking, maintaining out-going surveys.

Interns: Supporting interns working with BOPA to carry out projects that supports research efforts such as theming abstracts.

Hopefully this information is helpful for you to decide how you can get involved in the subcommittee. If you would like any further information about any of the workstreams, please contact the subcommittee co-chairs or a member who is already involved in the workstream. If you have any questions during the monthly meetings then feel free to ask.