Nurse aims to bridge clinical practice with research

A Community Psychiatric Nurse is contributing to dementia research while strengthening the connection between clinical practice and studies at Oxford Brain Health Clinic. Inga Farafontova is currently on secondment as a Research Assistant, building on her interest in research that began during her master’s degree.

Research and Clinical Practice

Farafontova’s work focuses on identifying patients eligible for research studies and raising awareness of research opportunities among staff and service users. Ongoing studies at the clinic are exploring both pharmacological and psychological interventions for anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

The Oxford Brain Health Clinic department prioritizes delivering mental health care alongside research initiatives aimed at improving the understanding and treatment of psychiatric conditions. Farafontova believes research is becoming more accessible to the public, moving away from traditional academic settings.

Previous Research Contributions

Prior to her current role, Farafontova contributed to a mixed-method study and collaborated with the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre’s Patient and Public Involvement in Research Group. She has also supported researchers investigating behavioral changes in patients at a memory clinic.

Farafontova originally trained as a nurse in Latvia before relocating to the UK to specialize in mental health.