Patients and health professionals working together to improve clinical research: where are we going?
The pace of active involvement of patients in clinical research has increased over the last 10-15 years. Advocacy for this engagement between patients and health professionals is briefly traced, based on the author's experiences both as an independent advocate and as co-founder and chairman (1995-1999) of the Consumers' Advisory Group for Clinical Trials (CAG-CT). A brief history is outlined. As the benefits and minor drawbacks of collaborative working have become increasingly evident, attitudes have changed and methodologies have developed. A new professionalism in relationships with doctors is being sought: common vocabularies need to be defined. Some research governance problems are identified: forward thinking to solve them is advocated.
Thornton
Hazel
H
Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Saionara, 31 Regent Street, Rowhedge, Colchester CO5 7EA, UK. hazelcagct@keme.co.uk
D035843:Biomedical Research; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000639:trends*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations