Research

What is primary care research?

Salisbury Medical Practice actively supports clinical research studies within primary care.

Research is a core function of the NHS and central to the practice for maintaining and developing high standards of patient care. Ultimately, clinical research means that patients get access to new treatments, interventions and medicines. Investment in research means better, more cost effective care for patients.

A wide range of research studies are supported by Salisbury Medical Practice including research into:

• Promoting a healthier lifestyle
• Disease diagnosis and prevention
• Management of long-term illnesses such as Diabetes or Hypertension
• Treatment of common conditions such as flu
• Prevention of future ill health

Benefits

• Clinical trials aim to improve the health and quality of life for patients.
• Without clinical trials there is a risk that treatments do not work or could be harmful to patients.
• You can learn more information about your condition and how to manage it.
• You may get access to a new drug or treatment that is only available through a trial.
• You may get faster access or more specialised care.
• You can help support medical science and increase our knowledge of conditions and treatments.
• It provides national gold standard training for research and added skills to those involved.

What does this mean for you?

There are different ways that patients can become involved in studies our Practice is participating in.

• A doctor or nurse may talk to you about the study and ask whether you would consider taking part
• You will be sent information through the post if we feel that you might be a suitable participant
• You may read information on the website about a current study and wish to take part by contacting the practice

Patients who express an interest in finding out more about a study will be asked for their permission to share their name and contact details with the study team. Some studies require direct contact between participants and the team; others involve contact through a member of practice staff or with a Primary Care Research Network research nurse.

• Participation in research is entirely voluntary and you have the right to say ‘No’.  Nobody will put pressure on you to take part in research if you do not wish to.  You do not have to give us a reason if you decide not to take part
• Your care and your relationship with your doctor or nurse will not be affected in any way if you decide not to take part in a research study
• You will always receive clear information about what taking part in a research study would involve. The practice will usually provide you with a patient information sheet; then, if you agree to take part, the study team will explain the study to you in more detail and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about it
• Nobody from outside this practice will be given your contact details or have access to your medical records without your prior consent. If you do agree to take part in a study, you will be asked to sign a consent form – this will clearly state which parts of your notes (if any) may be looked at for the purposes of the research
• You will not be asked to take part in a large number of studies.  Most researchers are very specific about the criteria that people need to meet in order to enter their study.  Usually this means that only a relatively small number of patients at the practice will be suitable for any one study.

Your care and your relationship with your doctor or nurse will not be affected in any way if you decided not to take part in a research study. You will always receive clear information about what taking part in a research study would involve. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and obtain further details about a study.

If you do agree to take part in a study you will be asked to sign a consent form. This will clearly state which parts of your notes (if any) may be looked at for the purposes of the research study. Nobody from outside this practice will be given your contact details or have access to your medical records without your prior consent. You can ask to leave a study trial at any point.

We are very grateful to any of our patients that have taken part in these studies in the past and would encourage patients to become involved in the future.