Research in primary care
About half of all GP practices take part in research by identifying potential participants and carrying out the activities needed for a research study. Routine care capacity is not affected by any research activity taking place in a GP practice.
Other primary care settings that sometimes take part in research include community pharmacies, dentists and opticians.
Not all GP practices will take part in every study, even if they are suitable. Research should include participants from a variety of places and backgrounds. A practice taking part in a study will usually be asked to search through its patients' records for potential participants.
To be eligible to take part, a patient must match a strict set of criteria that is defined by the research team (known as inclusion/exclusion criteria). Potential participants will be contacted by the research team or their GP by post, phone, or text with information about the study.
Participants in primary care studies are usually invited to take part and can't directly volunteer for a study, but certain studies have open eligibility and will advertise widely for volunteer participants.
You can sign up to some studies without an invitation:
The POPPY study is looking for volunteers who are planning their first pregnancy, to take part in a new study focussing on pregnancy and women’s long-term health.
The MASLD Care study is looking for participants who have or are at risk of fatty liver disease.
You can also check Be Part of Research for any studies that might interest you.
You can also sign up to be informed about future research studies that interest you:
Sign up to be notified of research that interests you on Be Part of Research.
At Join Dementia Research, you can sign up to be informed of dementia research studies for which you may eligible.
Be a part of research.movThis video talks about who can take part in health research.
Participating in a research study
Research studies can focus on almost anything, so participating in a study as a patient, carer, or member of the public can include a wide variety of activities. Below are some examples of what participating might involve. Real-life studies are described in the dropdowns.
Filling in a questionnaire
A survey collected people's experiences of the pandemic and how it affected their mental wellbeing (Psychological Impact of Covid-19).
Talking about your experiences or express your opinion
Group discussions explored how people with intellectual disabilities use the internet and stay safe online.
The focus groups included people with intellectual disabilities, their family, and their carers (the Safer Online Lives study).
Trying a new treatment
(or receive usual
care as part of the
control group)
A new device was found to help detect oesophageal cancer in patients who experience acid reflux (the BEST 3 study).
The research team looked at the different cells collected from participants' throats when they swallowed a tiny sponge.
Undergoing additional scans or investigations
Patients over the age of 65 are being tested for atrial fibrillation to see whether patients with this condition are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke (the SAFER study)
This video gives a quick introduction to types of study activities.
If you are asked to take part in a study, you may have a lot of questions.
Some of your questions may be answered on our page
"What to know before taking part in a study"
You can always ask the research team any questions you have. Some questions you may want to ask are listed on our page
Clinical trials are a specific type of study that compares one treatment to another in a carefully controlled manner. This helps pinpoint whether or not the new treatment is really the cause of an outcome.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)'s guide to clinical trials explains in more detail what it is like to take part in a clinical trial.
For more ideas of what it is like to take part in research, there are many interviews with participants on the NIHRtv YouTube channel.
Clinical-trials-an-easy-read-guide-National-digital-booklet.pdfOther ways to take part
Even if you are not invited to participate in a research study, you can have a valuable impact on health and social care by volunteering to work with researchers and health care professionals in other ways.
The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) has a lot of information on different ways to take part in research on their website Be Part of Research.
Help to develop research ideas
The UEA Citizens Academy involves members of the public, patients, and experts with relevant experience across all aspects of teaching and research. Visit the Citizens Academy website if you would like more information or to get involved.
Be part of a research team
For more information on Public, Patient and Carer involvement, go to I want to help with research.
To see what research is going on in your area, go to the NIHR's Be Part of Research.