Would you like to be involved in research in the NHS?

The NHS is committed to involving members of the community in research that is, people like you, as equal and active partners. All research is undertaken for the ultimate benefit of the community so the thinking is now: ‘Why shouldn’t the general public be right at the heart of research, which is, after all, done solely for us’.
To help inform you, here are some truths and falsehoods:

"All researchers are highly qualified and trained scientists, doctors and nurses"
False!
Certainly, a researcher requires some training but if you are interested and can commit some of your time, there is nothing to stop you becoming adequately trained as a researcher.

" All research projects are to do with medical conditions where I will be told when to have treatment that is being tested?"
False!
This type of research is called a clinical trial and they do go on in the field of research but there are many more research programmes which have the day to day life experiences of people as their main research topics.

"There are a number of training programmes which will show me how to do research"
True!
There are now many research training programmes for members of the public in the north west covering all aspects of how to carry out research. For more information contact Health R&D North West http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/ihr/hrdn/

" As a member of the public, I can get involved in any research project which interests me"
True!
If you have a particular interest in a medical condition, treatment or medical/nursing service you can become involved as a researcher, once you have been appropriately trained.

" Because I am not an academic nor NHS professional my contribution to the research will be less valuable"
False!
This statement is very false. As a member of the community, a patient or ex-patient, all research in the NHS is undertaken for your benefit. This means that your ideas about topics for research and your views into researching the medical/nursing services that you use will be essential, if that research is to be worthwhile.

"The world of research seems very different to the world of the general public; I would never fit in"
False!
At first, you may feel as though you do not belong to the world of research but this feeling is true of any new enterprise that we engage in. However, the more experienced you become, the more confident you will feel. Many members of the public who have undertaken successful research projects say how much the experience has boosted their confidence, self-esteem and sense of doing worthwhile work. For more information about people’s experiences as researchers, contact ‘INVOLVE’ admin@invo.org.uk Tel: 02380 651088.

"My local hospital, Hope, is far too busy to be bothered with helping me to become an effective member of the research team"
False!
This is another very false statement. The government now insists that all hospital Trusts should have patients and public involved with all aspects of hospital services and this includes research. If there is an issue about any aspect of health which concerns you and you would like to explore its possibilities for research, please do not hesitate to contact Bill Strettle at Hope Hospital Research and Development Unit on 206 5585 or Email William.Strettle@srft.nhs.uk. Your interest will be keenly appreciated because we are here for your benefit.

" Once involved in research training or project, I will be expected to commit myself and my time to it until it is completed"
False!
You will not be bound in any way to training programme or a research project. You may leave at any time you wish.

" I can decide to what extent I wish to be involved in a research project"
True!
Yes, there are three kinds of research project so you can decide which one is the most appropriate for you. For instance, you may wish to become involved in a research project which requires you to be consulted from time to time throughout its progress; this would take the form of a one-off interview. The second kind of research would require you to be continuously involved. This means that you would collaborate as a full partner in the research project. The third kind of involvement is one in which you, usually as a member of a group, would lead the project, making all the decisions regarding what you wanted to research and how it would be done.

" There are organisations which will advise me and support my decision to become a researcher"
True!
Apart from Health R&D North West and INVOLVE mentioned above, there are numerous organisations which can help you in your role as a researcher. These include: ‘Ceres’ (Consumers for Ethics in Research) an independent charity set up in 1989 to promote informed debate in research and help users of health services to develop and publicise their views on health research and on new treatments. Email: info@ceres.org.uk

" If I am under 18 or under 16 I am too young to take part in research"
False!
The government is very keen to encourage young people to become researchers. They may need more support than adults but they can make very valuable contributions. For instance, young people can identify research issues and questions that professional researchers may miss or not prioritise. Also, young interviewees may open up more to their peers, depending on the topic and the skills of the young researcher.

" As a young researcher, I am more likely to be manipulated and/or condescended to"
False!
Good Clinical Practice, which is a legal requirement in all research, will ensure that young people will be supported to get involved in ways that suit their needs and availability rather than expected to fit into adult structures. Young researchers views will be listened to and influence decisions along with the views of other members of the research team.