“We try to help people by following a scientific approach,” says Natalie Tanzarella summing up her work as a Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP) at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust’s (CPFT) specialist Windsor Research Unit.
Known for groundbreaking research into mental and physical health and supporting innovation to improve care services, CPFT runs studies with thousands of participants every year.
“We take a methodical approach in supporting researchers to gain a better understanding of healthcare, treatments and illnesses. CRPs bring a variety of skills to the table to do this, for example, people/interpersonal skills such as listening and communication with participants,” continues Natalie who started as a CRP last year having worked as a psychology practitioner in several different NHS roles.
Research delivery and data collection are key elements of her job. This can involve anything from advertising a particular research study and finding potential participants to visiting the participants, gathering data, and assessing them or signposting them to further information. CRPs are also responsible for ensuring that all participants’ study data are stored correctly and securely.
Natalie may be involved in several different studies at any one time: “Our research covers anything from dementia to mental health or advancing new medicinal treatments,” she explains.
Things are not instant in research; the aim is to learn and improve. We work on a cycle of continuous improvement to make our practice better
Natalie stresses that taking part in research is voluntary and participants are encouraged to provide feedback about ways to improve.
One of the projects Natalie is currently working on (the DIAMONDS study) is looking into whether a tailored education package could help people with severe mental illness to better manage their type 2 diabetes. If effective, similar packages could be rolled out across the NHS.
People with severe mental illness are more than twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes compared to the general population; they also suffer more complications such as heart disease, stroke, eye and kidney disease and die at a younger age. In England, around 44,000 people live with both conditions.
Natalie is currently recruiting people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough aged 18 years and above who are diagnosed with both diabetes and severe mental illness into the UK-wide study: “The medication for mental health conditions can impact mood and motivation which can then affect how an individual is managing their diabetes and physical health,” continues Natalie.
Participants are recruited and then randomised to receive standard care for their diabetes or given access to a health coach. Those who have access to the health coach receive guided self-help, one to one coaching and encouragement, as well as structured exercises from a workbook. The coach is trained in mental and physical health techniques and may, for example, work with the participant to put in place lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise or focus on other aspects of an individual’s care such as foot or eye health.
Participants can use the health coach as much or as little as they like; the coach is there to support them in managing their diabetes by themselves. Coaching sessions can be face to face or on-line, depending upon preference.
Over a 12-month period, participants are visited three times during which physical health measurements – including blood sugars, weight etc. – are taken and other areas such as mood, activity levels, and overall well-being are assessed using a questionnaire.
“Research like this is a really good way for people to learn about their different medical conditions and to get involved in their management,” says Natalie. She stresses the time commitment for participants to take part can vary greatly between studies; they could be asked to make regular clinic visits for monitoring or complete a one-off online questionnaire.
Natalie believes that the importance of volunteering for research cannot be overstated: “Without volunteers taking part in research, there wouldn’t be any new treatments. Most people volunteer for altruistic reasons – they don’t necessarily think they will see a direct benefit. But who knows what research might help you as an individual in the future?”
If you would like to know more about the DIAMONDS study and consider taking part or know someone who might be able to join and benefit from this research, read the information poster (opens in a new tab) and get in touch with the Windsor Research Unit team at CPFT by email or telephone 01223 219753.
For more information about the Clinical Research Practitioner role and career pathway visit the National Institute for Health and Care Research website (opens in a new tab).