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What research means to patients, and the importance of partnership with practitioners in research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2009

Hazel Thornton
Hazel Thornton*
Affiliation:
Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
*
Correspondence to: Hazel Thornton, “Saionara”, 31 Regent Street, Rowhedge, Colchester, CO5 7EA, UK. E-mail: hazelcagct@keme.co.uk
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Abstract

A brief general and personal history of research conducted in partnership with patients is outlined in order to substantiate the beneficial effect of this method in improving the quality of research and to illustrate the importance to patients of testing treatments in a manner that takes account of the outcomes they seek. Examples of two early initiatives, Radiotherapy Action Group Exposure (RAGE) and the Consumers' Advisory Group for Clinical Trials (CAG-CT), are used to demonstrate what can be accomplished by committed groups of patients working with policy makers and practitioners to improve the quality and provision of treatments for breast cancer.

Keywords

CAGCT, RAGEhistory of active patient involvement in researchpatient responsibility in researchtrust and altruism in researcheducation of public about researchadequacy of patient informationshared decision-makinglong-term effects of radiotherapyUK DCIS Trial

Information

Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , June 2009 , pp. 79 - 85
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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