Participation in research
Clinical research is an important function within the NHS, bringing benefits to patients, clinicians, and NHS trusts. High quality research activity provides evidence for new ways of delivering care, as well as preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions. Many patients want to take part in research, the findings result in better treatment for patients, involvement in research helps clinicians to understand evidence and use this in their clinical practice, and research-active trusts tend to attract more forward-looking clinical staff.
The EEAST Research Support Service (RSS) works with academic and other health and social care partners to develop, support, and promote research as a core part of service provision. RSS has worked consistently hard to ensure that patients and staff have every opportunity to participate safely in relevant pre-hospital ambulance research.
During 2021/22 EEAST recruited more than 2,250 participants (patients and Trust staff) into 7 high quality research studies approved by a Research Ethics Committee, all of which were National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Portfolio pieces of work, and 2 were EEAST sponsored studies as follows:
- STRategies to manage Emergency ambulance Telephone Callers with sustained High needs -an Evaluation using linked Data (STRETCHED) n=8. STRETCHED (primecentre.wales)
- What TRIage model is safest and most effective for the Management of 999 callers with suspected Covid-19 – a linked outcome study (TRIM) n=6.
- A qualitative study exploring the experiences of research paramedics working in the UK, n=3.
- AHP perceptions of research in the NHS: A national survey, n=11.
- Use of blood ketone meters to improve ambulance hyperglycaemia care (KARMA2 – EEAST sponsored) n=203.
- Enhancing rates of telephone assisted CPR, n=5.
- A mixed-methods study of female ambulance staff experiences of the menopause transition (CESSATION – EEAST sponsored) n=2,047.
In addition, RSS continued to support appropriate Urgent Public Health research studies related to the COVID-19 pandemic as a Participant Identification Centre. EEAST also hosted 3 smaller-scale student level projects being undertaken by Trust staff and external parties.
EEAST has built an excellent reputation for successful delivery of high-quality research. Such continued participation in clinical research has demonstrated the Trust’s on-going commitment to improving the quality of care offered and contributing to wider health improvement.
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