Helping healthcare professionals share research with patients
Explore our resources to help you share opportunities to take part in research with your patients and build your skills and confidence when talking about research.
- Research
- Publications
- Tools
- All professions
- Complex
- Diagnosis
- End of life
- Maintenance
Why is it important to share research opportunities with your patients?
Parkinson's research needs everyone. People with and without Parkinson's, of every age, gender and ethnicity. The more people who are involved, the faster we’ll get there.
People with Parkinson’s have told us they want to hear more from healthcare professionals about research. You're in a unique position in direct contact with the Parkinson’s community, and can help us improve access to opportunities for people who are currently underrepresented in research.
How can you help?
- Share our research leaflet so your patients are empowered to find research opportunities themselves (available in print and online).
- Sign up for our free Research Support Network to stay up to date with research opportunities for your patients.
- Use our Take Part Hub to find local research opportunities for your patients.
What's in it for you?
- Evidence shows that healthcare organisations that are active in research have better patient care outcomes and a happier workforce.
- Keeping up to date with our Parkinson’s research news and opportunities can support you with decisions to provide the best care.
Annette Hand, Parkinson’s Nurse Consultant and Professor of Nursing
"It's important that we, as healthcare professionals, are not just reserving conversations about research for people who are already putting their hand up to take part.
"We need to actively talk to every patient to make sure every type of person with Parkinson’s is taking part in research and everyone's voice is heard. Everyone should have an equal opportunity to take part."
Support for getting patients involved in research
This leaflet is designed as a ’first touch’ research information resource for healthcare professionals to share with patients. All of the questions were asked by people affected by Parkinson’s and a panel of experts provided the answers. These are available in print and online.
Our Take Part Hub is a place to find research opportunities for your patients. From trialling new treatments to filling in surveys from the comfort of home, there is something to suit everyone.
You and your patients can sign up to the Research Support Network for free to receive research news, opportunities, and events by email.
Research learning and resources for professionals
These learning resources will help you find free courses to improve your understanding of research, and improve your confidence in talking to your patients about research opportunities.
Find out more about our Race Equality in Research work
Parkinson’s research will only be effective if everyone is represented in the research process. But right now we know that’s not the case.
We’ve been working to improve representation in Parkinson’s research through our Race Equality in Research project. Discover what we’ve done so far, and how we can work with you to go even further.
Other ways we can support you in research
Encourage a research-positive culture at your workplace. The Parkinson’s UK Research team is happy to provide a research update to your local healthcare team, NHS trust, or board. We can provide presentations online, or in person.
Our research blog shares stories of people’s experiences of taking part in research, and why they think it’s important.
Parkinson’s UK is the largest European charitable funder of Parkinson’s research. Find out how to apply for funding to conduct your research project, or how we can support you to find people with Parkinson’s to shape and participate in your research.
Our Research Interest Groups are made up of people with Parkinson's and their loved ones, researchers and healthcare professionals. They meet regularly, often online, to discuss and share the latest research and what’s happening locally.
The Parkinson's UK Research team wants to support you. If you have any questions, ideas or would like to share your experience please, contact us via email at [email protected].