Research in primary care

sore throat

One study seeks the optimal way to manage sore throats

Brighton and Sussex Medical School has become the coordinating centre for a Primary Care Research Network for South East England (Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Thames Valley). With five million patients, the network promotes the involvement of patients and practitioners in clinical trials and well-designed studies.

Current studies include determining the optimal way to manage sore throats, asthma, verrucas and otitis media. General practitioners and primary care teams are well placed to conduct research about such conditions because many patients are affected and their care is provided almost entirely in a non specialist setting.

Professor Helen Smith, Clinical Director, is proud that BSMS was chosen to lead on the Primary Care Research Network South East. She comments that ‘It will bring immediate benefits to patients as it is recognised that practices who engage in research provide higher quality care and that their patients have better outcomes. And in the longer term, the network will have even greater impact as it strengthens our evidence base of effective treatments for patients with common and self limiting disorders.’

The network is looking for additional general practices to help expand their research portfolio, practical help, training and funding is provided to interested practices. For local clinical researchers the network provides an excellent way to boost and sustain recruitment to studies. Please contact Helen Membrey or Sarah Edwards (Network Managers) for details at pcrnse@bsms.ac.uk or 01273 644565.