Survey shows increased satisfaction for adults taking part in research in Wessex
The annual report for the Participant in Research Experience Survey for 2023/24 has been published and reveals the experiences of 1,620 people who took part in research supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) Wessex in 2023/24.
Participant experience was overwhelmingly positive with figures demonstrating increased satisfaction for all questions for adults compared to 2022/23. Importantly, 94% of adults surveyed said they would consider taking part in research again.
In addition, the number of responses received represents another year-on-year increase for the Wessex region, with the highest number of responses coming from participants taking part in infection, cancer, and cardiovascular studies.
The report also highlights the below findings:
- 98% of adults said research staff always treated them with courtesy and respect
- 96% of adults said that the information they received before taking part prepared them for their experience on the study
- 96% of adults said research staff valued their taking part in the research
- 91% of adults said they knew how to contact someone from the research team if they had any questions or concerns
- 82% of adults said they had been kept updated about the research
- 76% of adults said they knew how they would receive the results of the research
The Participant in Research Experience Survey provides an opportunity for research participants to anonymously feedback their experience of taking part in research. The responses inform improvements projects to both increase the reach and response to the survey itself but also importantly to improve the experience for research participants.
In the 12 months from 1 April 2023 - when the survey took place - CRN Wessex supported 720 studies, recruiting 45,287 participants. Read more about CRN Wessex 2023/24 statistics: Wessex recruits over 45,000 participants to take part in research | NIHR
Zoë Sheppard, Research Delivery Manager at CRN Wessex comments: “Not only did the number of responses increase again last financial year but the adult satisfaction levels did too - to pandemic levels in some cases. A massive thank you to everyone delivering the survey in our delivery organisations but also behind the scenes at the Clinical Research Network Wessex - a real team effort that I was proud to be a part of. A particular thank you to all the respondents of the survey who have helped improve the research experience for others.”
Further information can be found in the Wessex Participant in Research Experience Survey Report 2023/24
