On Wednesday 7 September at 8pm, the Royal College of Physicians will be hosting a Twitter chat, in partnership with WeDocs, on involving patients in clinical research.
Join the conversation
Anyone with an interest in patient involvement and/or clinical research, including patients, carers, healthcare professionals and NHS managers, is invited to join the conversation online, on Wednesday 7 September 8-9pm.
The event will provide an excellent opportunity to share learning and best practice in research design and activity, and how to better engage patients in the full research process. You can join the Twitter chat conversation using #WeDocs #FutureHospital, or via WeDocs.
Tweet chat questions
- Tips to get started with patient involved (PPI) research.
- The value of effective PPI to research.
- What are the barriers for clinical and healthcare professionals when involving patients in research?
- What are the barriers for patients who would like to be involved in research?
- How can the NHS encourage and develop the partnerships between patients and doctors in research?
- How can hospitals improve the promotion of research opportunities to patients?
Expert contributers
- Simon Denegri (@SDenegri) - chair of INVOLVE
- James Lind Alliance (@LindAlliance) - a non-profit making initiative that brings patients, carers and clinicians together to identify uncertainties or unanswered questions, about the effects of treatments.
The twitter chat will be hosted by @RCPlondon and WeDocs moderator Dr Olwen Williams.
Background
Evidence shows that patients who receive care in NHS facilities supporting research, experience better outcomes. However, according to the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey report from 2014, only one in three patients reported having had a discussion with their doctor about involvement in clinical research.
Public confidence in health research has increased, but it is important ensure that research design and activity compliments the needs of patients and their families. Another analysis by the James Lind Alliance shows that although patients and health professionals frequently prioritise non-drug treatment research, most research is focussed on the evaluation of drugs.
The NHS and its workforce can play an important role in aligning the priorities of patients and carers with research design. NHS teams should also ensure that all opportunities for involvement in clinical research are communicated to patients, enabling them to fully engage and contribute.
Recommended reading
- Hospitals should be at the heart of Britain’s world-beating partnership with patients in research
- National Institute for Health Research INVOLVE
Follow @RCPLondon on Twitter for all the latest medical and health news and debate.