Clinical trials and research
- Introduction
- Types of research
- How research addresses what we don't know
- What are clinical trials?
- Different stages of trials
- About fair tests
- Getting involved in health research
- Joining a clinical trial
- Finding out about the results
- Why all research should be registered
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- How trials are regulated
- Ethics committees
- Data monitoring committees
- When things go wrong
- Sheilas-story
- 'The nurse made sure I understood the risks'
- 'I'm here because of women who took part in research'
- 'I thought it might help me or someone else'
- 'I want people to find better medicines'
- 'I can control my Parkinson's thanks to animal research'
- 'I'm lucky I found a trial that was so right for me'
Research and clinical trials are an everyday part of the work done in the NHS.
The people who carry out research are mostly the same doctors and healthcare professionals who treat people. Their aim is to find better ways of looking after patients and keeping people healthy.
There are many different types of research. They cover a range of activities, from working in a scientific laboratory to carefully noting patterns of health and disease, and developing new treatments.
Health and social care research looks at many different issues, from illness, disease and disability to the way health and social care services are provided by the NHS.
Why carry out research?
People being cared for in the NHS benefit from past research, and continue to benefit from research that's currently being carried out.
Healthcare professionals know a great deal about health, disease and treatments, but much remains uncertain. Research can find answers to things that are unknown, filling gaps in knowledge and changing the way that healthcare professionals work.
This means that treatment, care and patients' quality of life are improved and avoidable early deaths are prevented.
Where is research carried out?
There's a huge range of different types of research into health and disease. Much research is carried out in the NHS, but some takes place in universities and research institutes, in social care services, or in the private sector.
How is research funded?
Research that takes place in the NHS may be paid for by one of a number of different organisations, and often more than one organisation working in partnership. They include:
- the NHS, through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
- the Medical Research Council (MRC)
- the Department of Health and other government departments
- medical research charities
- pharmaceutical and other healthcare companies
However the research is funded, the people who take part in it are protected in the same way. Read more about how trials are regulated.
If you're asked to be involved in research, you should be told who is funding it. When research is published, the organisations that have funded it should be declared.
How can I get involved?
You can look for research studies yourself by asking your doctor or a patient organisation, or by looking on the internet, such as on the UK Clinical Trials Gateway.
Alternatively, if you're being treated for a condition for which research trials are currently being conducted, you may be asked whether you'd like to take part in the research. Be cautious and don't be afraid to ask questions. You can also find out more in our guide to taking part in research.
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