Get involved in research
Research has transformed lives by providing evidence to ensure patients received the best care. The treatments, procedures and practice we perform today would not have been possible without research and innovation.
Research provides better care, new and more effective medication/procedures enabling efficient diagnosis, prevention and treatment of many conditions.
Be part of research
People participate in research for various reasons. Sometimes, the research can directly benefit the individual taking part in the clinical study, but for many, it is about contributing to the future care and treatments. Patients may be asked to participate in surveys to find out how their conditions affect their quality of life. This can lead to improved knowledge and better management of health conditions.
There are various ways to get involved in research other than being part of a clinical study. Other ways to get involved includes being a patient research ambassador, lay representative or participate on a research panel.
Patient Research Ambassadors can be a patient, carer, or lay person who promotes health research from the patient point of view. Lay representatives are patients with a particular medical condition and who could share their experience in many ways. It can be as working with researchers as a co-applicant on a research study or sharing their knowledge and experience on a proposed or existing research study being part of a focus group of patients with particular medical condition. You may be asked about the timing of treatment schedule, or to check if patient instructions are clear and easily understood.
Taking part in Research
If you attend the hospital as a patient, you may be approached to participate in a research study. If you are not, please feel free to ask about it.
Research studies can be Observational or Interventional. Observational studies collect data on the effects of your standard treatment without changing your standard care. Interventional studies involve intervention of your treatment by a change from your standard medication, procedure or pathway.
Participation in research is voluntary and information on the research study will be provided to potential participants before agreeing to take part. It will enable to make informed decision on participation of the study.
Before commencing the research, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Your doctor, members of your care team or the research team, will talk through the consent form before you sign it, and answer any questions you may have.
Participant Research Experience at Medway
If you have taken part in research at our Trust please go to http://bit.ly/PRES2021 to complete the Participant Research Experience Survey (PRES) 2021. Thank you.
For further information, https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/taking-part/other-ways-to-get-involved/
For information on participating in research at Medway, contact us at medwayft.researchenquiries@nhs.net or call 01634 976669