Summary
Opportunities for general practice to take part in research.
A recently published paper shines a spotlight on the important role that primary care can play in addressing health inequalities through more inclusive research.
Tackling Health Inequalities through Research Equity: A Case Study of the Greater Manchester Inclusive Research Network found that research activity across Greater Manchester general practice has historically been concentrated in a relatively small number of practices, with the highest recruiting practices typically serving less deprived and less ethnically diverse populations.
This means that many communities experiencing the greatest burden of ill health remain under-represented in research evidence.
The Greater Manchester Inclusive Research Network (GM IRN) was established to help address this imbalance and works in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network, supporting practices to develop research capability, access opportunities and become research-active.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can email: gmicb-mh.mimpresearch@nhs.net
The latest research opportunities from the NIHR North West Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) are as follows:
- MAMA – The Monoclonal Antibody Medications in inflammatory Arthritis (MAMA) trial aims to find out the effects of stopping or continuing biologics during pregnancy. It will compare whether women who continue their biologics throughout pregnancy have better arthritis control compared to those who stop, and assess the impact on their pregnancy, their infant, and the costs associated with this decision. Practices are being asked to display a poster advertising the study in their patient waiting rooms.
- ENHANCE – This research evaluates a preventative behavioural intervention consisting of a smartphone app and coach support designed to improve brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The ENHANCE app consists of brain training games, as well as questionnaires and videos containing information and advice to help patients change their health behaviours and improve their lifestyle.
- SAFE-D – Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal common cancers (five-year survival is five to seven per cent). In more than 80 per cent of patients, the disease has spread before it is detected, ruling out potentially curative treatment options. Early detection offers the possibility of surgery, leading to significantly improved overall survival. The study will collect blood samples, clinical and anxiety questionnaire data from up to 15,000 individuals aged 50-84 years old, diagnosed with type II diabetes within the last six months. The study will recruit participants from GP practices over three years with each participant attending three visits over 12 months.
- The Care Responders Study – funded by the NIHR, explores how children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis can be better supported across health, social care, policing and emergency services. The study team are particularly keen to hear from: GPs and GP trainees; primary care mental health practitioners; practice nurses; social prescribers; advanced clinical practitioners; physician associates; professionals working within primary care networks. Staff can take part by completing an online anonymous survey.
- Cancer research funding – can you help The Christie Hospital with an important funding application that aims to bring cancer researchers together from across cities and regions in the North of England? They’d like NHS staff and patients to take part in a short, anonymous questionnaire, before 31 August.
All research studies are available to browse on the NIHR Primary Care Research Hub.
More information about clinical research and the work of the NIHR NW RRDN can be found on the PCB website.
