Consultants’ views on users? involvement in clinical research investigators

2004 Conference

It is not known how many healthcare professionals and NHS managers within the South West London Cancer Research Network (SWLCRN) currently involve users in the research process or what role if any users could play within the research process. The SWLCRN Consumer Research Advisory Group felt it was appropriate to undertake a survey of consultants’ views on user involvement in research. Questionnaires were sent to 300 Consultants working within the field of oncology within the SWLCRN. The aims of the study are to identify barriers to user involvement, the motivators and those consultants experienced in working with users and to identify possible roles for the members of the SWLCRN Consumer Research Action Group within the research process.

Issues to be examined are the pros and cons of user involvement in clinical research; the reality of user involvement within the SWLCRN; Are Consultants involving users/user groups? Are Consultants interested in working with user/user groups? If not, why not? How do we change encourage the sceptic Consultants to involve users in clinical research process?