THE Western Trust and the Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine at Ulster University have launched a new cardiovascular patient and public involvement (PPI) research group based in the C-TRIC building at Altnagelvin Hospital.
The new research group (pictured right) will allow patients with cardiovascular disease to find out more about their disease.
It will also provide helpful feedback to medical professionals in designing future research studies to contribute to the improved development of long term patient care and ensure that patients are kept up-to-date with the latest medical advances to help manage their disease.
Cardiology patients and their families attended the successful event, alongside local charities, Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke and LivewiresNI.
The event coincided with a two-day work experience workshop for students from across Northern Ireland and Donegal, some of who hope to study Stratified Medicine at Ulster University next year.
Patients were also encouraged to shadow the lab classes at the event to give them a flavour of what is done with their blood sample when is it obtained and what they hope to be achieve from the research.
Dr Aaron Peace, Western Trust Consultant Cardiologist and Visiting Professor at Ulster University said:
“Many people find meeting others living with conditions similar to their own, from their local area to be of great benefit as they know what it is like to live with the condition.
“I am delighted that so many of our local cardiovascular patients have signed up to this new group.
“Essentially the purpose of this group is to allow patients themselves to help guide researchers to carry out research that is applicable to their disease and their prognosis and not just do research for the sake of it.”
Dr Victoria McGilligan, Lecturer in Stratified Medicine at the Ulster University said:
“Patient engagement is extremely important in research. It allows our research findings to be more pertinent to patients’ concerns.
“Our aim is patient informed research for improved patient outcomes.
“It is hoped that this joint event will also enthuse young people into the exciting area of Stratified /Precision Medicine, by giving them first hand experience, from a patients perspective, the need for research in this area.”
Following the event is it hoped that there will be regular Cardiovascular PPI group meetings for patients and their families in the North West. This local group will offer mutual support, information and the opportunity to contribute to the development of long term patient care.
Furthermore patients will have regular interaction with healthcare professionals and researchers.
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