Table 1.

Perceived benefits and challenges to collaboratives from the survey and focus group

Perceived benefits to collaborative members

  • Improved clinical processes through audit and quality improvement leading to improved patient care.

  • More publications.

  • More presentation opportunities.

  • Improved research skills.

  • Improved leadership and management skills.

  • Help to meet curriculum competencies.

  • Help to prepare for consultant role.

  • Improved career opportunities.

  • Improved wellbeing.

Perceived challenges to collaborative governance

  • Lack of a reliable funding pipeline for studies or projects.

  • Logistical difficulties in planning and implementing projects due to geographical distribution of members.

  • Lack of dedicated time for collaborative work, leading to time management difficulties.

  • Teamworking difficulties where collaborative members may not be familiar or work well with other team members.

  • Lack of support from consultant colleagues and limited flexibility of the training programme.

  • Lack of support from potential sponsors eg NHS trusts and universities.

  • Group authorship restrictions in place by publishers.

  • Difficulties with appropriate acknowledgment of input for authorship among members.