Take part in arthritis research

Research discovers new things and solves problems by searching for the answers to important questions we don’t know the answers to yet.

This can happen in many ways:

• Talking and listening
• Testing and measuring
• Watching and observing

Research doesn’t just happen in hospitals, it can happen in your community, and it needs people to take part to answer the important questions – we call this research participation.

While many research projects look for new medicines, others also involve things like surveys to test opinion on new health services or trying out new digital apps.

Research participation is critically important for the breakthroughs of the future. Find out below how you could take part in research projects as well as answers to some common questions about research participation.

Why should I take part?

There are many reasons that people choose to take part in research:

• To improve healthcare for others through things such as new treatments, tests, and tools.
• To learn more about their condition.
• To try a new treatment or device.
• To be more closely and regularly monitored by health and care professionals.
• To help researchers learn important new information. 

The results from research are applied to all communities. But often, there is not an equal mix of people, for example ethnicities, ages, and genders in the projects. Taking part in research like clinical trials is important for all. Not only does it offer the chance to access the latest treatments but unless you take part the medicines and healthcare of the future may not be suitable for you, your children and theirs.

How can I find a study I can take part in?

You can ask your doctor, nurse or healthcare professional about clinical trials or other health and care studies.

You can also visit the “Be Part of Research” website to explore a wide range of projects who need people to take part.

What kind of research can I take part in?

There are many different types of research. Some test new treatments or require samples, others may involve interviews or surveys.

A lot of research will be carried out in healthcare settings, but some will be based in universities, research centres and increasingly, in the community. Some people participate in research from their own homes through telephone interviews or written questionnaires.

Research can be carried out by many different people, but often researchers are the doctors and healthcare professionals who treat you.

Some research may require your one-off involvement, while others may have several follow ups over a period of time. Below are some examples of what this may involve:

• A trial comparing two treatments.
• Surveys or focus groups to understand people’s experiences.
• Observation over a period of time.
• Collecting information about lifestyle or nutrition.
• Having a scan or a blood test.

Researchers will explain what’s involved in their study before you decide if you want to take part. It’s always your choice whether to take part and you can change your mind at any time.

How do I know if it is a good research project?

Most research projects are reviewed by at least one independent panel. For example, a group of people with arthritis and researchers, read and discuss all research projects that Versus Arthritis give funding to. They do this so that we give our funding to the projects most likely to make a real difference.

All research done in the NHS must follow guidelines, which make sure that the project is safe, ethical and of a high quality.

If you’re a participant, you can find out if a project has been approved by an ethics committee. It’s their job to look after your rights and well-being. The ethics committee will look at the information you’ll be given and check that it contains all the information you’ll need to make a decision about taking part in the research. It will make sure that the information is presented in a fair and balanced way. Research projects can't start without this approval.

Whatever research you take part in, you should feel happy and confident about your role

You decide if you want to be involved in a particular project, you don’t have to take part. Whether you were approached or you volunteered yourself, you can choose to leave the project at any point, and you don’t have to give a reason. It won’t affect your normal care and it doesn’t mean that you can’t take part in research in future.