Summary
Topics include gestational diabetes, an inflammatory back condition, and the use of anti-depressants in over 75s.
Two new e-learning modules will help primary care staff to build their research knowledge and skills.
Launched by NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the free training offers a foundation level for those new to research, plus an intermediate module for those looking to develop their knowledge further.
Find out more about ‘What is health research? on the NHS learning hub, which requires you to have a registered account.
Practices looking to get involved in routine research studies can check the NIHR Primary Care Research Hub.
The latest research opportunities from the North West Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) are as follows:
- REMIND – this study aims to assess the effectiveness of SMS reminders to enhance the uptake of annual postpartum diabetes screening in women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM), compared to usual care. The study also hopes to describe the effect of reminders on the uptake of annual diabetes screening post-partum in women with a history of GDM compared to usual care, by age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
- The IDEAL-BACKPACS study focuses on finding better ways to diagnose axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) (formally known as ankylosing spondylitis [AS]). AxSpA is an inflammatory condition affecting approximately 270,000 people in the UK, causing pain, stiffness and damage to the spine, pelvis and joints. Currently, it takes five to eight years for people to get a diagnosis. The study team want to help GPs identify patients with inflammatory back pain to enable early diagnosis and faster access to treatment. We will design and test a new tool, to be integrated into GP computer systems, to help GP clinicians decide if a patient needs to be referred to a specialist, and the impact of this on the patients’ wellbeing and delays in diagnosis.
- ANTLER75+ – 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 aims to see if it is better to continue on the antidepressant for a further 12 months or to taper off and discontinue to prevent a relapse.
Primary care colleagues are also invited to take part in a survey on delivering diabetes care.
The University of Manchester, in collaboration with Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, is asking GPs who provide diabetes care to patients to complete an online questionnaire.
The questionnaire aims to establish the confidence and capacity of general practice in providing diabetes care in the UK.
If you’d like to learn more about clinical research, you can get in touch with the regional team by emailing: nw.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk
More information about clinical research and the work of the NIHR NW RRDN can be found on the PCB website.
