NIHR to fund patient panel for skin disease research

People who suffer from skin disease are being asked to help make research more effective by joining a new 'Patient Panel'.

Experts in the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology (CEBD) at The University of Nottingham say patients and people who care for patients could make a valuable contribution to their research into skin disease and its treatment.

Professor Hywel Williams, Director of CEBD, said: "We have a strong record of involving patients and carers in our research. However, in the past this has been done on an individual group or study basis. We want to bring all this together to create a more effective research environment and to give more support to people who want to get involved in our research."

CEBD wants to hear from people who are affected by common skin disorders, such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and skin cancer as well as rare skin conditions.

The new panel would meet one to two times a year for training events to ensure that those taking part in research activities are given the help and support they deserve. Members of the panel will have the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of research development activities and to become patient advocates of CEBD by promoting the centre's work in their local community. The first training event will take place at Attenborough Nature Reserve in Nottingham on Monday November 9 2009.

Professor Williams said: "The driving force of our work is the needs of our patients. This is their chance to have a say on the direction of dermatology research, to share their experiences in a positive way, to learn more about our work and be actively involved in improving treatments for patients with skin disease."

Funding for the panel is provided by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) as part of the £2 million programme grant which CEBD were awarded last year to help reduce the uncertainties associated with treating various skin diseases.

Staff at CEBD co-ordinate the Cochrane Skin Group. This group is dedicated to summarising the effectiveness of treatments for skin disease. The centre is also the base for the UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network which is responsible for conducting large independent clinical trials for the treatment and prevention of skin disease. CEBD also hosts 'NHS Evidence-skin disorders' which provides a one-stop shop for electronic information on skin diseases and their treatment for medical professionals.

A similar patient panel, The Nottingham Stroke Consumer Group, is already helping to shape pioneering research into the medical treatment and rehabilitation of stroke patients at The University of Nottingham.

Source: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/