Supporting healthcare professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds to 'Step Into' a clinical academic career.

Background: There is a need to develop research focussed healthcare professionals with the clinical experience and academic skills to meet the needs of a diverse population. Yet, healthcare professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds are often faced with personal, structural or organisational barriers, which prevent them from accessing and applying for development opportunities.

Aim: To undertake an evaluation of the Step into Clinical Academic Careers' programme. The programme was designed specifically for nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals (NMAHPs) working in NHS organisations, from ethnic minority backgrounds, who had the ambition to pursue a research or clinical academic career.

Methods: Qualitative individual interviews and online evaluations were conducted to identify the views, perspectives and experiences of participants who undertook the programme. Participants were also followed up after 6 months.

Results: Participants provided insights into four key areas relating to outcomes of the programme. These were (1) increased confidence, (2) increased motivation, (3) developing networks and (4) inspiring people.

Conclusions: Organisations must work purposefully and collaboratively to realise equitable support for individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, through targeted mentoring and leadership development training. Failure to do this will result in a continuation of limited diversity amongst clinical academic and clinical research leaders.