The NIHR DRN is committed to involving people affected by diabetes in its decisions and to encourage people to participate in its trials and studies. Both are vital in ensuring research is effective and relevant to people affected by diabetes.
A growing number of people with diabetes, their family members and carers help shape the network’s activities by sharing their knowledge and experience of living with the condition.
There are a number of ways in which you can get involved and become part of the DRN’s activities, which include:
- taking part in our information-gathering programme, answering an occasional questionnaire or survey circulated by the network
- becoming a ‘Patient Advocate’ and putting forward your perspective as someone affected by diabetes, either with the national coordinating centre or your local research network centre
- signing up to receive our updates and newsletters, and being kept informed of our progress
- participating in one of the clinical trials or research studies adopted by the network.
Patients, carers and members of the public can also play vital roles in prioritising research, study design, in preparing grant applications, and working with researchers to improve the accessibility of research.
The NIHR DRN is looking for more people who would like to become involved, and a dedicated Patient and Public Liaison Officer advises and supports those interested in helping to influence the network decisions (m.lodemore@imperial.ac.uk).