More people than ever before willing to take part in clinical research
16 October 2014
MORE people diagnosed with a medical condition or disease would be willing to take part in clinical research than ever before, according to the results of a new survey conducted on behalf of the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN).
The survey reveals that 90% of people in Sheffield would be willing to take part in clinical research, with only 3% saying they would not consider it at all – an all-time low.
The survey also revealed that 97% of people in Sheffield said it was important to them that the NHS carries out clinical research.
Last year over 600,000 people took part in research which aims to improve diagnosis, treatment and care of patients in the NHS – over 10,000 of those were in South Yorkshire.
The growing importance of clinical research to the general public and their increased willingness to take part suggests that this number is set to rise.
Commenting on the findings of the survey, the NIHR Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire and Humber joint clinical director Dr Alison Layton said: “Without dedicated volunteers, advances in medicine wouldn’t be possible; the results of this survey are really excellent news.
"Providing patients and volunteers with opportunities to get involved in clinical research is integral in helping to improve patient care and developing new treatments.”
When asked about motivating factors for taking part in clinical research, almost 60% of the people surveyed in the city said that receiving a diagnosis for a medical condition or disease would be a factor most likely to motivate them. One in five said that they would be motivated if a friend or family member was seriously ill and didn’t have the treatment they needed.
On this Dr Simon Howell, joint clinical director at NIHR Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire and Humber said: “Clinical research in the NHS rests on an invaluable partnership with the public. The results of clinical research benefit all of us and drive up the quality of care.
"The results of this survey show the success of the National Institute for Health Research and NHS organisations in delivering research and the high value the public put on this.”
For more information about getting involved in clinical research visit our dedicated Get Involved pages or email getinvolved@sth.nhs.uk.
ENDS
Photo: Professor Anthony T Barker, of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, giving a live demonstration of transcranial magnetic stimulation, which was invented in Sheffield some years ago and is now used worldwide for a number of therapeutic applications thanks to clinical research.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudia Blake, Communications Specialist
Tel: 0114 226 5033
Email: claudia.blake@sth.nhs.uk
