DVD helps encourage participation in clinical research

A resource for those involved in clinical research has been developed by the UK Diabetes Research Network. It’s a website and DVD designed to introduce the world of diabetes clinical research trials and contains footage from both experts in the field as well as patients.

Patients who have taken part in research projects carry a very strong message that participating can provide personal benefit and is a very positive experience. It was felt that this was a message that should be brought to a wider audience.

The idea is to increase the number of people volunteering for research programmes by providing information from fellow patients.
Fifteen patients and one healthy volunteer, identified by local investigators, from across the UK were invited for interview to talk about their experience taking part in a research project. Overall more than 30 hours of video material were captured. The highlights were selected and edited to produce a prototype DVD.
So far almost 2,500 DVDs have been distributed to individuals, clinics and research groups. Anecdotal feedback has been extremely positive,
The website can be accessed at www.diabetesresearchnetworking.org
Copies of the DVD can be obtained from The Diabetes Research Network, Oxford Centre for Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LJ. Telephone 01865 857508