Empingham Medical Centre, Research Active Since 2011
Empingham Medical Centre have been a research friendly surgery since 2011; we work along with the National Institute of Health Care & Research (NIHR) to offer patients the chance to learn more about their medical condition, try new treatments and help others in the future manage their conditions.
Did you know Empingham Medical Centre won a 1st place award for the highest number of patients in taking part in research across the East Midlands. The won against Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire & Northamptonshire!
Research Site Initiative Scheme 2022/23 Recognition Award
Taking part in research is optional. Dr Eaves is the lead GP for the surgery. There is always a study co-ordinator you can speak to if you have any questions before signing up.
A study co-ordinator is someone from the research team who knows all about the study and is the lead for it. Information on how to contact them will be in the invitation pack you receive; there is also the research lead for Empingham Medical Centre which is Eilidh who selects the research studies for our patients. We always try to choose studies which are relevant to our community.
If you have any suggestions of a health topic you would like us to be part of then let Patient Services know!
Research studies may be sent to you via text message or in the post. For example, the diabetes study called CODEC was posted to patients who have a diagnosis of diabetes. Some patients may have been excluded due to other health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How am I contacted to take part in a study?
You will receive a text message or an information pack is posted to you.
Do I have to take part?
No it is optional. If you sign up to a study but change your mind then let the study co-ordinator know. Your care at the surgery will not be effected if you consent or dissent from a trial.
Will I have to travel for the study?
The study information pack will explain if you need to travel to a local location. Most study centres are based at local hospitals including Leicester Royal, Leicester General and Glenfield Leicester. The study may reimburse you for travel expenses and for your time to take part.
Does this take a GP away from their normal GP work?
Only Dr Eaves assists with the research study administration. We choose research studies which do not impact the day to day work of the doctors and nurses. The studies chosen are based away from Empingham Medical Centre so that the surgery can run as normal.
Studies since 2022
Active Brains
Southampton University have made a new website called ‘Active Brains’ which aims to help adults aged between 60 and 85 years old to look after their brain and body health. The aim is to help prevent problems with things like remembering, concentrating or reasoning (known as cognitive decline). The website will help adults to make simple changes such as getting more active, playing brain training games and finding ways to eat more healthily.
150 patients have been selected at random and will receive a mail pack offering them the chance to participate.
If you have received your mail pack you can click on this link to enter the Active Brains Study.
Measuring Loneliness
Loneliness and social isolation can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life. The Measuring Loneliness (INTERACT) study aims to map loneliness at borough and city level to highlight the scale of the issue and help decision makers consider new ways to support individuals who are lonely, feeling socially isolated and who may be suffering in silence. The study is the first of its kind and aims to collect data from thousands of community dwelling individuals aged 16 years or over to produce a visual snapshot of social isolation and loneliness across the capital, and other parts of the UK.
Any patient from ANY RUTLAND PRACTICE OR LIVES in Rutland can complete the survey. The study is based on your postcode and not which GP surgery you are registered at.
Please click on the link below for more information or to complete the survey!
CODEC Study
Research has shown that people who have later bedtimes (colloquially called ‘night owls’) are more likely to develop diabetes and other health problems, such as heart disease. This still holds true, even when the night owls get the same number of hours sleep as early risers. The underlying causes have not been clearly defined, but appear to be related to ‘circadian misalignment’. This is where societal pressures, such as work shifts, force us to wake earlier or stay awake longer than we naturally would.
The CODEC study aims to identify the chronotypes in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to find out what impact, if any, the chronotype (e.g. ‘night owl’ or ‘lark’) has on the patient’s ability to control their blood sugar levels, among other biological measures.
The Profile Study
Understanding the genetics that influence risk of prostate cancer could improve the way we screen men for prostate cancer in future, and help more men get diagnosed and treated early.
Click on the link below to watch a video about the study to find out more.
STATIC Study
Stopping Aminosalicylate Therapy in Inactive Crohn’s Disease (STATIC)
The STATIC study aims to look at the treatment of people who have a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease by reviewing the current medication used. Please see the video below which provides more information regarding the study.
Data Protection
No data or information is passed onto the research study. It is only when a patient signs up to the study that information is exchanged; at any point a patient can decline a study and all data stored is subject to the General Data Protection Act 2018.
The doctors and staff involved in studies follow the Good Clinical Practice and the Declaration of Helsinki.
The World Medical Association (WMA) has developed the Declaration of Helsinki as a statement of ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects, including research on identifiable human material and data.