Taking part in research
There are several ways you can take part in research. You may be approached by a member of a research team if they feel you are suitable for a study currently running in NHS Fife. These studies explore new ways of preventing, detecting and treating disease.
Participation can vary and this may be anything from trying a new medication through to simply completing a survey. It is entirely your choice to decide if you want to take part or not. If you decide not to join a particular study, that’s fine, and other opportunities may arise in the future that are more suitable for you.
You may be interested in taking part in a specific clinical study. While there might not always be suitable studies available, we can help check for future opportunities.
Some specialities maintain ‘Research registers’ which are secure databases that allow researchers to contact individuals who have registered an interest in health and care research when new relevant studies become available. If you’re interested, please ask the clinical staff if there are any research registers relating to their area that you can sign up for. They’ll be happy to help guide you through the process.
You can contact us at Fife.randd@nhs.scot
Patient and public involvement
A further way of being involved in research is to take part in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). PPI brings people with lived experience into the heart of research. Involving the public early helps ask the right questions, design studies that are practical and accessible, and share findings in ways that really matter.
Based at the University of St Andrews, the Fife Community Advisory Council is a diverse group of volunteers who work alongside researchers from the very first idea through to study design, materials, recruitment, and sharing results. If you’d like to get involved please contact medfifecac@st-andrews.ac.uk
Undertaking a research project - NHS Fife staff
The RIK department are happy to work with individual NHS staff who wish to lead a Clinical Research or Innovation project. Our Research Advisor can help you with all aspects of study design and running a study, and our Approvals team will support you through the sponsorship process and any ongoing governance issues.
Fife Community Advisory Council
We will also signpost you to the Fife Community Advisory Council, a Patient and Public Involvement group of local volunteers based at the University of St Andrews. They work with researchers to ensure that lived experience is at the heart of research from the very first idea through to study design, materials, recruitment, and sharing results. medfifecac@st-andrews.ac.uk
If you are interested in being involved in a research study currently running in NHS Fife or potentially opening in NHS Fife, please contact the R&D department as we may be able to help find a suitable study for you to support.
NIHR Associate PI scheme
NHS Fife also encourages staff to engage with the NIHR Associate PI scheme designed to provide healthcare professionals experience of working on and delivering a clinical research study under the mentorship of a local Principal Investigator Associate Principal Investigator Scheme
To help you progress your involvement in clinical research, the RIK department can offer study advice, governance support and research training relevant to your specific requirements.
Please contact us at Fife.randd@nhs.scot for further information