Table 1.

Stakeholder focus group themes

Key themes	Sub-themes
1. Programme and regional variations:	• No standardisation in recruitment and outcome metrics
	• Lack of communication channels post internship
2. Internship professional differences and characteristics	• AHPs better represented than nurses, some AHPs rarely represented
	• Information dissemination variable across settings (e.g. poor representation in the community setting)
	• Previous Masters experience as a barrier or facilitator contested and debated
3. Barriers to success	• Influence of research culture of organisation
	• Middle managers are gatekeepers to progression
	• Gap between Internship and pre-doctorate NIHR level widening
	• Lack of joined up approaches (various research initiatives)
4. Enablers of success	• Supervisory relationship is key to success and continuation
	• Should be intern driven
	• Showcase impact on service transformation and culture

AHP Allied Health Professions, NIHR National Institute of Health Research