How to Participate in Research

Research has changed significantly over the last few years. Participation varies according to the level of involvement. This can vary from face to face recruitment of patients during a consultation to more administrative tasks such as inviting previously identified eligible patients, from electronic searches, to participate in a research study where all the study procedures are carried out by the research team. To find out more on the current studies available in your area please visit the studies page.

Getting Involved: As a Patient Identification Centre (PIC)

Your practice or clinic would be responsible for identifying eligible patients for a particular study (academic or commercial), based on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the study team. A clinician would then check the list to ensure the selected patients would be suitable for the research project. These patients would be sent a letter explaining the research and inviting them to contact the research team if interested in participating. CRN:WM can help with the search and patient mail invitations, if necessary.

The PIC retains responsibility for the healthcare of the patient outside of the research. However, the research site takes on the duty of care for them in relation to the study. Reimbursement for time spent by practice staff is available, depending on the study. Practices will be informed of these before they agree to take part.

Getting Involved: In Observational or Interventional (Non PIC) Studies

These may involve: face to face recruiting of patients, taking consent, taking measurements, requests for provision of a room and practice nurses or health care assistants recruiting patients. For example the HEAT study, that is open to enrolment until the end of 2015, involves a database search and review, followed by a mailout and a notes check after one year. There must already be an established NHS Stop Smoking service based at the practice. CRN:WM can provide support and training on participating in such studies.

Getting Involved: As a Principal Investigator

These studies require greater involvement by the practice. A designated clinician would be responsible for the day-to-day running of a study at a site. This would involve similar tasks to non PIC studies such as recruiting patients and taking consent, depending on the study. CRN:WM support and training would always be available.