National survey provides Manchester CRF with new insight into research awareness levels

Results from a national research awareness survey, supported by the NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF), have been recently completed by the UK CRF Network.

So far over 500 adults, families, young people and staff have taken part in the survey across the UK, including 200 from the three NIHR Manchester CRF sites at:

• Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 20 staff, 14 patients
• The Christie NHS Foundation Trust – 30 staff and 100 patients
• University Hospital of South Manchester – 10 staff and 15 patients

The aim of the survey is help the UK CRF Network’s Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) team understand what level of knowledge and understanding patients, families and staff have about research. The survey aims to assess people’s experience of information about clinical research prior to being involved in a study as a patient, or as a member of staff to assess their level of awareness of research within their place of employment.

The survey has been incredibly useful locally to provide an overview of the level of awareness across the NIHR Manchester CRF.

The aim is also to raise awareness about Research across the Manchester CRF sites and across the UKCRF network

Steven Edwards, Project Manager from the Public Programmes Team* explained, “The survey results give us a valuable insight into the level of awareness members of the public have of clinical research. The results will be reviewed by the UK CRF Network’s PPIE working group to engage and involve members of the public in clinical research in the future.”

Over 93% of families and 84% of young people said they look for information about research on their condition online and overwhelmingly 83% of adults understand that research could improve their health.

^{*The Public Programmes Team lead on PPIE activities for the NIHR Manchester CRF.}

Key results of the Research Awareness Survey 2017