Come and hear about health improvement research taking place here in Leicester at our Public Involvement in Health Research Event
Saturday 23 March 2024 10am – 1pm
George Davies Centre
Lancaster Road, Leicester
Meet our researchers, ask any questions you may have and find out how you can contribute to the success of these studies.
Light refreshments will be served.
Public parking is available at Victoria Park but there is limited disabled parking available to blue badge holders which can be applied for via the registration page below.
To book your free place, please use this link: https://buytickets.at/nihrleicesterbrc/1153590
Give us your views on our current and upcoming studies based on your personal experiences of conditions including asthma, stroke, cancer and heart failure.
Studies include:
Characterise barriers to asthma clinical trial participation in people with low health service engagement.
Target Audience: female members of the South Asian community
The lung condition, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), occurs when the lungs become overly sensitive to substances we breath in. HP is often caused by inhaling particles from everyday environments, such as mould, bird droppings, dust, or chemicals. When exposed to these triggers, the lungs become irritated, leading to inflammation and long-term damage. Over time, this inflammation can make it harder for the lungs to function resulting in symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing and fatigue.
In Leicester, a considerable number of South Asian women are affected by this condition but the cause of this is unknown. Our study aims to understand why this condition is prevalent in this group and identify the potential triggers.
Using innovative methods, we plan to engage with the community to co-create research strategies, such as questionnaires and information materials. Our goal is to contribute to better health outcomes for the Leicester South Asian Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (LSAHP) community. By attending Dance & Health classes, we hope to raise awareness, build trust, and identify potential research participants. Our ultimate goal is to create a positive impact on the lives of those affected by HP in Leicester.
Young Adults – living with and beyond cancer.
Target Audience: male and female persons aged 25 to 49 who are or have been affected by cancer, or a main carer for parents/relatives affected by cancer.
Aim: Raise awareness of unmet need, hear how target audience would like to be supported
In the UK each year, around 10% of all cancers occur in adults aged 25-49 years. Young persons living with and beyond cancer, have specific considerations different to older and younger persons living with and beyond cancer, for example, navigating relationships, fertility, young families and work. We know that the impact of cancer does not end when treatment ends. Quality of life, considerations around returning to work and social activities are vital to consider too.
Currently, within Leicester and Leicestershire, our young adults aged 25 years and above have no specific local groups outside of general cancer support, which is often aimed at older persons. For younger adults up to the age of 24 years there is existing provision through the Teenage and Young Adult service.
Following initial consultation with our PPIE group, and recognition of this unmet need, we want to co-establish with our patient advocate a dedicated support group and establish a local community network that meets the needs of young adults living with and beyond cancer.
Assessing user experience for novel low cost ECG device.
Aim: To understand how to tailor the prototype product development and functionality to user needs
In the UK, heart attacks are responsible for about 100,000 hospital admissions every year. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are the way in which doctors can monitor heart health, but this currently requires a visit to a health care provider or use of costly remote monitoring devices. We are developing an ultra-low-cost ECG heart rate monitoring device that can be attached to a smart phone and used at home, making accurate heart health monitoring easier and cheaper. Once we have finished making the prototype for this low-cost heart monitor, we will need to test how well it works compared to standard ECG machines, and understand how easy it will be for patients to use in the home for essential heart health assessments.
Treatment of Anxiety Following A Stroke
Aim: To improve understanding of how uncertainty leads to anxiety following a stroke, and design a new approach to effectively treat anxiety in stroke survivors in the future.
More people aged 45-years and over are suffering from a stroke each year and around a quarter will experience anxiety. This can be due to the numerous uncertainties that stroke survivors face in their daily life after a stroke. For example, not knowing how well their recovery will go or if they will go on to have another stroke. Many individuals find it difficult to cope with all this uncertainty and do not receive the support that they need.
Mental health care following a stroke is limited and there is poor continuity of care, so anxiety is often undiagnosed or poorly treated. Left untreated, anxiety can affect how well individuals can manage their own health after their stroke, including following treatment plans and engaging with rehabilitation (e.g., physiotherapy). This can hinder their recovery after a stroke and affects their daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life.
This research study aims to improve understanding of how uncertainty leads to anxiety following a stroke, and design a new approach to effectively treat anxiety in stroke survivors in the future.
Enhancing inclusion and diversity in health research through a tailored training programme. Would you like to attend our workshop exploring ‘What researchers need to know?‘
Health research provides the evidence that underpins the treatments and medications that are used by everyone as part of their care. However, participation of people from under-represented groups in health research still remains low. At Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, we believe that research is something that everyone should have the opportunity to take part in.
To help with this, in collaboration with members of the community we will be developing a tailored training package for our all of our research staff, the aim being to improve their knowledge, skills and ability to embed health equity and culturally inclusive practices into their research design and delivery.
We would like to invite you to take part in one of our workshops where we will discuss what members of the community feel is important to be included in researcher training. This will include discussions around, cultural, communications, funding and past experiences.
If you feel you can contribute to conversation, please come along to our event
Saturday 23 March 2024 10am – 1pm
George Davies Centre
Lancaster Road, Leicester