What is research?
Research is what we do when we have a problem we want to find a solution to. Health research aims to generate the knowledge that will allow health organisations to deliver better health care to population they look after.
Research studies (sometimes also called clinical trials) rely on volunteers. Some involve healthy members of the public, while others involve patients taking part in a study during their care and treatment.
Rheumatology Research in the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust.
The Department of Rheumatology boasts for being Research active for more than 20 years and has achieved excellence in several research projects. It is renowned worldwide for its contributions to the understanding and management of cardiovascular risk in rheumatic diseases.
We have a strong commercial and academic research programme, which is supported by the Trust’s Research and Development directorate.
You may be invited to take part in a study if you are a patient at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust. It is entirely up to you whether or not you wish to participate . If you decide not to participate it will not affect your usual treatment/care in any way.
Why should patients and the public be involved in research?
If you take part in a research study you:
- will be helping others, and possibly yourself, by helping to identify more effective treatments;
- may have more contact with healthcare staff than you normally would;
- will have opportunities to learn more about your condition, which may help you to manage it better;
- may feel as though you are taking a more active role in your healthcare.
Many of our patients who have participated in research have found it a positive and rewarding process.
Further useful links
NIHR Clinical Research Network
Supports the delivery of clinical research studies in the NHS. The Patient and Public section of its website provides a range of resources that you can use to support a patient-centred research culture.
INVOLVE
INVOLVE is a national advisory group that supports greater public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research. INVOLVE is funded by and part of the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR to share knowledge and learning on public involvement in research. For further information, please visit: www.invo.org.uk
People in Research (an INVOLVE project)
A useful database that lists local and national research involvement organisations and groups. There are two broad areas these groups focus on: making patients, carers and the public aware of the research opportunities available to them and engaging the same groups in the design and review of clinical research studies. For further information, please visit: www.peopleinresearch.org
Standing Committee of PARE
The national organisations of people with arthritis/rheumatism across Europe work together via the EULAR Standing Committee of PARE. Each member country is represented with one delegate in the committee. The standing committee meets annually on the occasion of the EULAR congress to review progress and plan future activities. Throughout the year liaison persons, appointed by the organisations, ensure a smooth communication flow.
The EULAR Standing Committee of PARE gathers representatives of rheumatic and musculoskeletal user groups around Europe to work together towards improving the quality of life for the more than 120 million people in Europe living with these conditions. The committee’s vision is of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Europe being empowered to lead full and independent lives.
The primary aims of PARE are:
- develop strong networks of effective, user-led organisations of people with RMDs.
- ensure the voice of people with RMDs is heard and has influence among decision makers within Europe.
- create powerful alliances that will make a difference to the lives of people with RMDs.
