Summary
Colleagues working in general practice can take part in a range of clinical studies.
The latest opportunities in clinical research are now available from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The following studies are being offered by the NIHR North West Regional Research Delivery Network (formerly known as NIHR CRN):
Qualitative research study involving general practitioners
Researchers at the University of Liverpool seek the views of general practitioners about a potential diagnostic test that identifies whether individuals with new-onset diabetes would benefit from screening for pancreatic cancer.
In a small subset of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (around 1 per cent), the diagnosis of diabetes is believed to be an early sign of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is a rare, but aggressive cancer that is almost always diagnosed late. Early in its development, it causes a form of diabetes called type 3c, although this is frequently misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes and the chance to diagnose pancreatic cancer early is missed. Earlier detection of pancreatic cancer would allow for earlier treatments and better outcomes for patients.
There is no routine test for type 3c diabetes.
As part of a Cancer Research UK-funded programme, the team is trying to develop a blood test to distinguish type 3c from type 2 diabetes.
The test would allow people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to be tested to see whether their diabetes is actually type 3c. If it is, they would be offered screening for pancreatic cancer.
Taking part involves completing a 15-minute online questionnaire, with the opportunity to discuss your answers in more depth with a researcher via an online interview.
For more information please contact: Martyn Stott via: martyn.stott@Liverpool.ac.uk
ANTLER 75+
This programme is recruiting adults aged 75 years or over who have been taking an antidepressant but are now well enough to stop (depression improved).
The trial will aim to establish if it is better to continue on the antidepressant for a further 12 months or to taper off and discontinue, in order to prevent a relapse.
INDIGO Community
Investigating digital outcomes in a community setting for patients living with and beyond a diagnosis of cancer.
The study uses questionnaires to help understand how a patient feels about their quality of life and experiences of care.
Using a digital survey tool, the study hopes to run a project that will help understand more about the lives of patients after treatment for cancer.
They plan to see which patient-reported outcome measures allow participants to express their quality of life as rated by the participants.
The study will also explore how to keep the amount of time and effort needed to complete the questionnaires as low as possible.
Pain Management in Hidradenitis Suppurativa
This is a 10-minute survey open to all primary care healthcare professionals who treat patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, with questions on how staff manage the patients’ pain.
Please read the information leaflet before completing the survey.
A full list of available studies in general practice can be found on the NIHR Primary Care Research Hub. You can also get in touch with the team by emailing: nw.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk
More information about clinical research and the work of NIHR NW RRDN can be found on the PCB website.
