Nine in ten research participants would take part in another study, survey finds
Nine in ten people who took part in LCRN-supported health research in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire would consider taking part in another study, results of an annual survey show.
A total 93.2% of respondents said they would consider taking part in research again, the NIHR’s Participant in Research Experience Survey found.
A total 1,728 responded to the survey from April 2021 to March 2022 about their experience of taking part in NHS, public health and social care research, such as drug trials, testing new devices and answering questionnaires about their condition.
Other results included:
- 93.6% said research staff always treated them with courtesy and respect
- 92.5% said researchers valued their taking part in the research
- 89.3% said they knew how to contact someone from the research team if they had any questions or concerns
- 78.6% said they knew how they would receive the results of the research
- 71.1% said they had been kept updated about the research
More than 900 responses were received about what was positive about their experience, including having the opportunity to help others through research, staff attitudes and effective study organisation and administration.
Of the 326 responses about what would have made their experience better, common topics included how studies are organised and managed and the study itself, for example problems using software and devices.
Studies that responded included:
- COVID-19 vaccine studies into new vaccines, combinations of different vaccines and effectiveness of vaccines in immunocompromised patients
- The Active Monitoring for AtriaL Fibrillation (AMALFI) trial into the possible benefits of screening people using a wearable chest monitor to detect atrial fibrillation (AF), or irregular heart rhythm
- The Platform Randomised Trial of Treatments in the Community for Epidemic and Pandemic Illnesses (PRINCIPLE) trial into medicines that can help people with COVID-19 symptoms get better quickly and stop them needing to go to hospital
- The Precision in Psychiatry Study (PIPS) which asked people who had recently started taking a new antidepressant to complete brain games and self-reflection questionnaires in the hope this will help estimate their likelihood of benefitting from a range of treatments.
A report into the findings (PDF, view accessible Microsoft Word version here) makes a series of recommendations including keeping participants informed, providing overall study results and providing flexible appointment times where possible.
The results will be shared with research staff to drive improvements in how studies are delivered.
Prof Manu Vatish, clinical director of the NIHR Clinical Research Network Thames Valley and South Midlands, said: “We are delighted with the results of this important survey which shows how excellent the relationship between research participants and the research teams within Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire is.
“We are happy to see how the vast majority of respondents would consider taking part in another research study. The survey reinforces the importance of communication with participants knowing who to contact, being clearly valued for their participation in research and the mutual respect between participants and the research teams.
“We also learn from these surveys and see areas where we might even further improve and can take positive steps around study organisation and troubleshooting software.
“Taking part in health research improves treatments, the NHS and saves lives. It is excellent to see the engagement that our community has with clinical research and we hope more will be encouraged to take part.”
To read a report of the findings and learn more about the survey visit tinyurl.com/prestvsm
Participating in health research helps develop new treatments, improve the NHS, public health and social care and save lives.
The NHS, public health and social care supports research by giving patients opportunities to take part in trials. Healthy people can also take part so results can be compared to those with a medical condition.
Patients are also encouraged to ask their doctor or health professional about research opportunities and view trials seeking volunteers at bepartofresearch.uk
