Working in haematology research: the ADVENT trial
Staff at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital and Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire’s Stoke Mandeville Hospital are recruiting people to take part in the ADVENT trial into using ultrasound to detect deep vein thrombosis. The study opened in 2021 and is led by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and funded by the Wellcome Trust. It has recruited more than 400 people across 9 sites in England, including more than 250 in Oxford and Aylesbury.
In this article, the study’s Chief Investigator Nikki Curry, also a Consultant Haematologist in Oxford, explains more about the study.
Talk to your healthcare professional about taking part in research or search for studies seeking volunteers at Be Part of Research.
What is this research study about?
ADVENT is a multi-centre, prospective, double-blinded, pilot study evaluating artificial intelligence-driven automatic detection of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We are testing whether a hand held ultrasound device that 'guides' the user to undertake a diagnostic ultrasound to look for the presence of a DVT is as good as the standard diagnostic methodology where a trained radiographer performs the scan.
What does taking part involve?
A patient who is referred to the diagnostic DVT service for clinical evaluation of whether or not they have a DVT, is offered entry into the ADVENT study. In addition to routine assessment, the patient has an AutoDVT scan - which is performed by a research nurse - and which is the device that is being tested in this study. The AutoDVT scan method involves a handheld standard ultrasound device being connected to the artificial intelligence AutoDVT device which guides the research nurse as to where to place the ultrasound probe and how to compress the large deep veins of the leg to confirm or exclude the presence of a DVT. The results of this AutoDVT scan are not available at the time of this test to the researcher or the patient.
What motivates you to work in research?
Every patient who seeks medical attention deserves the best treatment possible. Research enables clinical teams to ultimately deliver the best, evidenced based treatment for patients. Every day, clinicians are faced with clinical questions where the answer about how best to proceed or treat a person is not fully known. For me, knowing that I am part of the process which helps to find an answer for patients is very motivating.
What would you say to people about considering whether to take part in research?
I would say to ask questions about what research means, take your time to consider whether a study is right for you and ultimately thank you on behalf of all future patients and clinicians to you for the part you play in improving health care.
Talk to your healthcare professional about taking part in research or search for studies seeking volunteers at Be Part of Research.
