Faversham Medical Practice is research active. We are currently take part in National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) portfolio and other high quality research studies. Research is part of NHS work, giving patients better access to the possible benefits research brings. Last year, over 600,000 NHS patients chose to take part in clinical research. Thanks to those patients, we are learning more all the time about how to deal with a whole range of medication conditions that will improve lives.
During your visit you may be invited to take part in one of the research studies we are running or we may have written to you to tell you about a research study you might be interested in taking part in.
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.
You are under no obligation to participate in any research project. 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.
By taking part in these studies, we hope to help improve care for our patients in the future.
In line with the new GDPR regulations coming into force on 25th May, we wanted to update all patients with clear information about how we are using your data with respect to research. For more information, please click here for more information or contact Nichola Love (Nichola.love@nhs.net)
1) New Studies opening at Faversham Medical Practice
CLASP 4 study - Renewed Online Feasibility Study. Cancer: Life Affirming Survivorship support in Primary care (CLASP) Programme
- There is a need for tailored support for cancer survivors, to improve their quality of life. This study will assess an online intervention, called Renewed Online, that offers lifestyle and wellbeing support for cancer survivors.
- We will be sending information to survivors of Breast, Prostate and Colorectal Cancer to seek anyone who may be interested in taking part.
TRIMASTER
- This study aims to identify reasons why patients with type 2 diabetes might respond well or poorly to particular drugs.
- The way patients respond to treatment based on their particular characteristics such as weight or kidney function, will enable better targeting of treatment for a particular individual.
2) Studies now closed to recruitment – thanks to everyone who took part!
PACT study: Personalised medicine for Asthma ConTrol
- Asthma is very common and affects about 2 children in every classroom. Although effective medicines exist, these do not improve asthma symptoms for all children and young people. It may be different medicines could be better at reducing symptoms for children and young people with certain genes. This study is trying to find out if prescribing an asthma controller medication based on the results of a genetic test can improve quality of life and asthma control in children and young people with asthma.
- The research team will be sending information to patients (and their parents) aged 12-18 with asthma to seek anyone who might be interested in taking part. If you would like to be involved, please see contact details at the bottom of this page.
PDAF – Atrial Fibrillation Screening in General Practice by Clinical Pharmacists
- During a small number of flu vaccination clinics, a team of pharmacists screened patients coming in for their Flu vaccination. This was to look for people with an irregular heartbeat called Atrial Fibrillation (AF). We also carried out a couple of events locally for to raise awareness of Atrial Fibrillation with the support of the practice and the Heart Rhythm Alliance, more information on this association can be found here.
HEAT study
- This study will investigate whether a one-week course of antibiotics to remove bacteria that live in the stomach (called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)) could reduce the incidence of gastric ulcer bleeds in patients who are using aspirin.
- 29 patients took part in this study so a big thank you to all.
If you would like any more information about the research going on at Faversham Medical Practice, please contact Melanie Rees-Roberts (m.rees-roberts@kent.ac.uk, T:01227 816433).