%20Logo_CtoC%20May21-0.jpg)
In May 2021, Dr Vijaykumar became the National Research Lead for Modality Partnership. His dedicated research team within the Modality Partnership includes divisional GP leads, nurses, physicians’ associates and administrators. The team also has 2 dedicated research nurses; Amy Kitching covers Systmone practices and Juliette Pearson covers Emis practices. If you need to contact the team, please do so by email to modality.research@nhs.net .
We work alongside the local Research Delivery Networks and platforms such as UMed to make research accessible to all. Research projects are vital in supporting the advancement of medical science, healthcare and influencing evidence based practice. Many of these studies involve developing diagnostic tests and treatments that would not be available to certain groups of patients. We aim to make this research accessible to all eligible patients.
You may be contacted via text, email or letter inviting you to find out more about a research study, however, your participation is completely voluntary. If you receive an invitation and would like to discuss it with the research team then please email modality.reserarch@nhs.net, who can advise you on the study you are being invited to partake in.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions regarding our research at Modality, take a look at our FAQ's Section Below.
Research
What Is Primary Care Research?
In primary care, we are actively supporting clinical research studies. Clinical Research is vital for innovation and to maintain and enhance high standards of patient care in the NHS.
The ultimate benefit of clinical research is to gain access to :
- New treatments
- Interventions
- Medicines
Investment for clinical research leads to faster and more cost-effective care for patients.
A wide range of studies that are supported look at:
- Promoting a healthier lifestyle
- Disease diagnosis and prevention
- Management of long-term illnesses
- Prevention of future ill health
- Treating common conditions such as tonsillitis or influenza
The Modality National Research Team
DR. Elango Vijaykumar - National Research lead & Exec Partner East Surrey (Middle)
Amy Kitching - National Research Nurse (Left)
Juliette Pearson – National Research Nurse (right)
Current Studies
Examples of research studies
-
Atlantis study - Assessed the clinical effectiveness of low-dose amitriptyline (10–30mg) for adults with IBS in primary care
-
Frontier - First Contact Physiotherapist who is expert in managing MSKDs works within the GP practice and sees patients without them having to consult a GP first.
-
Magnify - Maximising Adherence and Gaining New Information For Your COPD.
-
SAFER - The aim of the trial is to determine if screening for AF (including paroxysmal AF) to people aged 70 and over leads to reduced incidence of stroke compared to usual care and what impact it has on other key outcomes (both harm and benefit).
-
DaRe2THINK - The aim of this study is to find out whether these newer blood thinning tablets can prevent serious long-term complications if used earlier in patients with AF.
-
Immune Defence - The study found that advice to use commonly available nasal sprays (at the first sign of a cold, cough or flu) reduced days of illness
-
Define - Aims to determine whether use of an online FeNO-guided asthma management intervention (the FeNO web tool) in primary care is more effective than usual care at reducing the proportion of asthma patients who experience an acute exacerbation over a 12-month period
-
Psychological Impact of Covid - Aims to identify the psychological impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic.
-
DIAMONDS - Improving diabetes self-management for people with severe mental illness
-
HIPDYS - Tests the use of a diagnostic aid for Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in general (GP) practices
-
Predict PD – A nationwide study that aims to identify people at high risk of Parkinson’s before symptoms appear. The study uses online tests that screen for factors linked to increased risk of Parkinson’s.
How Can You Help and Take Part?
You may be sent information via text, email or through the post if you meet the eligibility criteria set within the study protocol.
The information you receive will outline the purpose of the study, and instructions on how to find out more e.g. clicking the link provided in the text. (Clicking the link DOES NOT mean you have consented to take part, it is merely a way of finding out more information). There will be opportunities to ask questions and obtain further details about the study once you are in contact with one of the study team.
All clinical research that you have been invited to take part in will have been subject to a rigorous approval process undertaken by ethical committees prior to enrolling participants, this is to ensure the safety and welfare of participants.
If you decide to take part in a study, you will be asked for your consent. This can be done verbally, in person or electronically, depending on the study. Participating in any research project is entirely voluntary. You can withdraw from a study at any time, without any need for an explanation. This would not affect the care you receive.
You can visit the National Institute for Health Research (https://www.nihr.ac.uk/) website, to find out more information about research within primary care.
Benefits of Primary Care Research
Research is beneficial to people and patients, with breakthroughs enabling earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments, prevention of ill health, better outcomes and faster returns to everyday life.
Research is beneficial to healthcare professionals who are able to develop imaginative solutions for real NHS problems, improving care and increasing job satisfaction.
Research is also beneficial to the NHS systems – we know that hospitals that are more ‘research active’ have lower mortality rates than those that are not. This effect is not limited to research participants.
COVID-19 has highlighted that when front line nurses, doctors and other health professionals work with research teams to embed research in care and treatment pathways, we can give more people an opportunity to get involved in research.
GP practices that are research active play a key role embedding research in care and treatment and become part of the bigger picture in contributing to making research accessible to all patients.
The NIHR is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research, spending £1 billion from the Department of Health and Social Care on research every year.
Working with experts across healthcare research and the NHS, NIHR identifies which illnesses and conditions need more research to help improve people’s lives.
NIHR involves patients, members of the public, users of social care services and carers at all stages of its research. This helps to improve research and make it more relevant to the people it’s designed to benefit.
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
FAQs
Do I have to take part?
No. Participation in any research study is completely voluntary. Feel free to discuss any queries with your local practice or contact the research team at modality.research@nhs.net.
If I enrol onto a study can I change my mind later on?
Yes. You can withdraw from any study at any point without giving a reason. However, some studies may use the information that has already been obtained up until your point of withdrawal.
How is my information used for research?
Researchers use information to increase our understanding of diseases and to improve treatment. We also use it to develop innovative software or treatments. Before any research is conducted it usually needs approval from an independent ethics committee, who ensure any patient information is used ethically and appropriately.
If you participate in a specific research study, in most cases you are asked to sign a consent form. The consent form, and a participant information sheet, will describe how your data will be handled during the study. Your signed consent form and your personal details will be stored by the research team in a secure location along with the study information.
How might I hear about a research study and how do I sign up?
Patients are sent information about studies they may be eligible for via text, email, letter or during a consultation, or via posters displayed with the practice. Within the communication there will be instructions on next steps i.e. the text may invite you to click a link. This will enable you to find out more about the study and allow you to provide contact details to the study team. Before you take part in any study your consent will be obtained. This may be done in person signing a paper form, verbally over the telephone, electronic via email or link.
Will I have to travel?
This will depend on each study. You will be fully informed of your responsibilities before you provide consent. Some studies may require you to attend a specialist site and others you can attend your local practice or do from your own home.
Will I get paid for taking part?
Each study is different. Some studies will provide reimbursement for travel. This will be explained in the Patient Information Leaflet or by the study team.