International Clinical Trials Day marked by the launch of a new resource for diabetes patients

A new DVD and website resource, launched today by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Diabetes Research Network, aims to encourage patients to get involved in diabetes research.

The DVD and the dedicated website which accompanies it have been developed with patients in mind to highlight the importance of diabetes research. They focus on showing patients’ perspectives of what it’s really like to be involved in a clinical trial.

Diabetes affects almost 5% of the population in England. The condition is estimated to be responsible for 5% of all NHS expenditure and 9% of all hospital costs. It is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population, the single most common cause of end stage kidney failure and the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb loss.

Research is vital in the fight against diabetes not only to develop new treatments which help patients manage their condition but also to help prevent people getting diabetes in the first place. However, very few people know about the advances being made in diabetes research or what being involved in a diabetes clinical trial actually means to a patient. The new DVD aims to address this.

Mr Pravin Chotai is one of the diabetes patients who features in the DVD. He felt it was important to be part of this initiative which gives patients a voice and an opportunity to relay their experiences of being involved in clinical trials,

‘Being involved in research was a great experience for me so I was delighted to be involved in this project helping to explain to other patients what it is all about. I would definitely recommend anyone to consider being involved in research and I am sure this DVD will provide people with a much better idea of what to expect.'

The DVD and website have been developed by the NIHR Diabetes Research Network in an effort to raise awareness of diabetes research and to encourage more patients to take part. It will be distributed widely across the country to be used as a way to encourage patients and healthcare professionals to get involved in diabetes research.

Professor Sally C Davies, Director General of Research and Development, Department of Health and Director of the National Institute for Health Research, said,

“The NIHR Diabetes Research Network was established because of the immediate and growing importance of the disease to public health in the UK. Diabetes research is vital to find the best ways to treat and prevent the disease and its complications as well as gain new insights into the disease. The Network provides a unique opportunity for more people to take part in this important area of research and this new DVD and information pack will be invaluable in helping people understand what a good experience it is to be involved in a clinical trial.”

The resources will be launched today at a reception held at the Houses of Parliament. The launch coincides with this year’s International Clinical Trials Day - a European initiative which uses 20 May each year to highlight the importance of clinical research.

Copies of the DVD are available by contacting info@diabetesresearch.ocdem.ox.ac.uk