Nine in ten people would be willing to participate in research if diagnosed with a medical condition or disease, according to results published this week.
The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) survey also revealed that 95% of people said it was important to them that the NHS carries out clinical research.
Results were taken from a census-wide consumer poll of 3,000 people in England, commissioned by the NIHR CRN.
Last year over 600,000 people took part in research which aimed to improve diagnosis, treatment and care of patients in the NHS.
George Freeman, Minister for Life Sciences, said: “The NHS provides a unique setting for the development of new treatments that can bring real benefits to patients. We have world class research facilities and it is clear that patients want the opportunity to take part in clinical trials. Ensuring that the NHS continues to embrace research will help us realise our ambition of making the NHS is the best health service in the world."
Jonathan Sheffield, NIHR Clinical Research Network Chief Executive, said: “It is important that we make information about clinical research opportunities widely available to NHS patients, through as many routes as we can. This survey shows that people want to participate and we need to ensure they are made aware of the research opportunities available to them. Through our local Clinical Research Networks, we will continue to actively work withal parts of the NHS to promote research opportunities for patients.
“The survey also shows that although 77% of people are aware that clinical research happens in hospitals, they are less informed about opportunities to take part at their local GPs – even though our data shows that one in three GP practices is research active.
“Clinical research happens in the majority of healthcare settings from hospitals to Ambulance Trusts and from Mental Health Trusts to Community Hospitals. I would urge people interested in research to examine all opportunities as anywhere there’s an NHS patient, there should be an opportunity to get involved in research. Part of our role is guiding healthcare professionals to ensure that they are promoting research and we have produced materials to help them do that.”
Access the census-wide infographic here.
