Celebrating the role of research nurses

Research nurses play a vital role in medical research, helping to design studies, working with patients on clinical trials and carrying out quantitative and qualitative research.

At the Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Debbie Alexander leads a team of research nurses focusing on Gastroenterology and Rheumatology studies.

The team has a variety of backgrounds including Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Research Analysis, Intensive Care and Practice Nursing.

I was offered the opportunity to run a small research trial for patients who were having arthroscopic knee surgery and from then on research has been my career.

As well as Debbie, the nursing team includes Louise Taylor, Claire McQuillian and Joanne Dobson. They work with Professor Charlie Lees and Professor Stuart Ralston in addition to other specialists in Gastroenterology and Rheumatology.

One of the largest trials they have worked on is PREdiCCt (PRognostic effect of Environmental factors in Crohn’s & Colitis) – a UK‑wide cohort involving more than 2,600 participants.

We helped to design and run the clinical side of the study here in Edinburgh in terms of recruiting the patients and collecting the data.

FLIP (Fatigue in Lupus Interventions), is another study where the research nursing team have been involved in the design, delivery and write up of the project.

Having input from the beginning of a study is valuable for both the nurses and the participants. With research we get to know our patients well. There is continuity – we see them at the start and at the end of the study, often with multiple visits in between.

There is a lot for patients to take in when deciding to be involved in a trial. With our knowledge and training as nurses we are able to support patients in making these complex decisions.

In essence, research nurses are integral to the successful design and delivery of clinical trials.

(Debbie Alexander, Joanne Dobson, Louise Taylor and Claire McQuillian )