What is research?

What is clinical research?

Clinical research is the study of health and illness in people. A clinical trial is a way to test something. Clinical trials can be used to test treatments. For example, if a new medicine is better than what is used now. Clinical trials can also test how safe a new treatment is. Clinical trials help doctors understand how to treat a particular illness. It may benefit you, or others like you, in the future. There are two main types of clinical research: observational studies and clinical trials.  Observational studies monitor people in usual settings.  Researchers gather information and compare changes over time.  Clinical trials test a medical, surgical or behavioural intervention in people.  All health and care research has to meet high standards of ethical approval before people can take part in it.

Why is research important?

Research is important because it helps us: 

• Gain knowledge about why people become unwell.
• Improve the treatment and support available.
• Prevent illness and disease and contributes to the development of cures.
• Research helps guide decisions for professionals, patients and families.

What research do we do?

We conduct research into most conditions treated at our hospitals, these include but are not limited to:  cancer, diabetes, disorders and diseases that affect:  the digestive system, the heart, the joints, breathing, the ear nose and throat, hormonal balance as well as research undertaken during pregnancy and childbirth. 

Our research facilities include the NIHR Norfolk Clinical Research Facility located at the Quadram Institute, the main NNUH site and Cromer Hospital.

We work closely together with our commercial partners, the University of East Anglia, the Quadram Institute Bioscience and the wider Norwich Research Park community. 

Why get involved in research?

You can help improve healthcare by taking part in research studies. Taking part in clinical research is a personal decision, and it’s always your decision.

Some research studies involve healthy members of the public. Others involve patients taking part in a trial during their care and treatment. Some clinical research involves the use of patient data.

Taking part can involve lots of different things for example questionnaires, physical tests, genetic tests, cognitive tests, getting a treatment or therapy, and also drug trials.

People take part in clinical research for many reasons. Some want to give something back to society, others want to help to develop better ways to care for patients. Some take part to have access to new, experimental treatments that are not widely available.

We aim to ensure that all patients have an opportunity to take part in clinical research. Whether you decide to take part or not, you will receive the best treatment available for your condition.