Sheffield patients reveal how clinical research improves care
21 January 2015
TWO SHEFFIELD patients have spoken about the vital role clinical research plays in providing better treatments for conditions such as their own.
Diabetes patient Lynne Dawson, 47 sits on a panel to advise on the recruitment of trial patients and identifies research priorities, but also takes part in studies herself.
Lynne, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 2009, says: “I appreciate how important it is for research to happen across any discipline – but particularly within the health sector. I saw a poster at my GP’s surgery, asking for volunteers and it sounded like a good way to influence treatments and research for diabetes. Being part of an advisory panel gives me the chance to put forward the patient point-of-view, which is important in research.”
Lynne is currently taking part in a study called ‘Exploring the Relationship between Hypoglycaemia and Autonomic Neuropathy in Type One Diabetes’. It aims to find out why people suffer hypo unawareness, which is where individuals with type one diabetes, are frequently unable to notice when they have low blood sugar.
Loss of hypo awareness can be troubling, and at times dangerous, so taking steps to regain awareness of hypo-warning signs is important for patients.
Lynne says: “Research like this won’t only help me, but others. In 10 to 20 years’ time I may be affected by something like loss of hypo awareness – which is a scary thought. If we contribute to research like this then we can help to combat these problems in the future. I would definitely recommend other people to get involved. As a patient you have a better understanding of treatments available to you, so you can make better informed decisions about your own health care.”
Fellow clinical research participatnt Brenda Riley was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 2005, and was determined to find out more about her condition.
She joined the Diabetes UK Sheffield Group, which aims to provide support, help, companionship, education and information for people living with diabetes, and is part of Diabetes Voices, where volunteers take part in local campaigns to help to change lives of patients.
She says: “In a nutshell, taking part in research has given me a new interest in the science of research and health, and of diabetes in particular. It has made me feel I am doing something worthwhile towards the improved quality of life of all patients with diabetes.”
The first study in which Brenda is involved aims to find out how the processing of neuropathy pain signals is altered by diabetes, which could lead to better treatments and alleviate the problem.
The second is to investigate whether people who develop a particular diabetic problem increase the risk of developing reduced warnings of hypoglycaemia.
Brenda says: “I definitely encourage others to consider taking part in research. Each project is different and has different demands on your time and involvement, but you can decline any projects you feel do not suit you.”
To find out more about taking part in clinical research at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust contact 0114 226 5935 or email getinvolved@sth.nhs.uk.
ENDS
Reproduced by kind permission of Sheffield Newspapers
