Armley Medical Practice is actively contributing to medical research which we believe plays an important role in improving the medicine we practice.
Research is central to our work a Armley Medical Practice It is an essential part of working out which treatments work better for patients. We have been approved by the Royal College of General Practitioners as a Research Ready Practice and we work closely with the National Institute for Health Research, this is the research side of the NHS. In addition, we work with commercial companies to help identify people suitable for research studies.
To support patients through the research journey we have a qualified Research Nurse working at the surgery.
As a patient, carer or as a member of the public you can get involved in research by taking part in a study, or by helping to design research studies. Your participation may benefit you through our better understanding of treating certain conditions, or it may benefit people in the future.
There are many types of research for people to get involved with through their GP surgery. These will vary from simple questionnaires to studies on new medications. Involvement is always voluntary. For further information about research and general use of patient information please go to the following website.
https://www.hra.nhs.uk/information-about-patients/
Here at Armley Medical Practice we are currently recruiting people to three studies:
1. Co-ordinated Programme to Prevent Arthritis: Can We Identify Arthritis at a Pre-Clinical stage? Sponsored by The University of Leeds. This study is for people who have been referred to Physiotherapy with a new muscle / joint pain or people who have a close relative with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
2. Alpha – comparing treatments for severe chronic hand eczema sponsored by The University of Leeds.
3. The Two Week Wait (2WW) study – investigating ways to increase timely attendance at urgent referral appointments for suspected cancer sponsored by The University of York.
What does this mean for patients?
It simply means that occasionally we could ask you if you would be interested in participating in some research, in the same way you might be asked if you go to a local hospital. However, you do not have to take part if you do not want to.
For more information about research you can visit the UK Clinical Trials Gateway which provides easy to understand information about clinical research trials running in the UK or contact our Research Nurse here at the surgery.