Friday, 17 June, was #Red4Research Day, an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the work of our research teams by encouraging people to wear red and share a photo with the hashtag.
For clinical research practitioner Karen Robinson, any opportunity to raise the profile of our ‘purple army’ is welcome.
She has been working in research with the Trust for almost 20 years, and was recently recognised with an award at the team’s away day.
Karen retrained after working as a vet nurse, then as a ward clerk, and does not regret her change of career for a second.
She said: “No day is the same – no minute is the same – when you work in research.
“It’s hugely exciting to be involved in finding ways to improve treatments for our patients. But it’s not just about drugs or procedures. Sometimes it’s about their quality of life and that can be just as important.
“We often follow patients for years, so we really get to build a bond with them and to see the difference we are making to their lives.”
Her role involves assisting clinicians to recruit people to various studies and investigations, supporting them and their families throughout the trial and beyond, and gathering the data.
Karen, who works primarily in oncology, said: “When I first started we were primarily focused on chemotherapy and radiotherapy as treatments but now we have more targeted drugs.
“As the technology changes we help to investigate how that can make a difference, and we never forget that it’s about the patients, not just the data.
“They are real people – mums, dads, sons or daughters – and they are showing genuine altruism in being part of trials so we want to make sure we look after them, reassure them, and are on hand to answer their questions.
“People react differently when you mention the possibility of taking part in research to them but if we can explain it well and have the whole MDT involved from the start then they often respond very positively and are happy to be involved and to help make a difference for future patients.”
The team celebrated #Red4Research Day with information stands at the three acute sites.
