Primary care IT is provided by many different software providers but the majority work with two systems; EMIS Web and Systm One.

In order to deliver research in primary care each practice is required to use their software system to search data. This is a complex  and time consuming process which creates an increased margin for error within each practice and across practices.

The aim of the SWP RRN PRIDES service  is to support and develop the IT framework and tools for research in primary care, making them easily available to GP practices involved in research in order to reduce administrative burden and improve recruitment and involvement in research studies.

The basic concept is to utilise EMIS Web and Systm One to develop searches, pop-ups and templates which are detailed, accurate and quality assured. These IT solutions will be shared electronically using this website and where possible the clinic system's sharing platforms across the South West Peninsula.

Please note the sharing groups and resources on this website are for practices within the South West Peninsula. If you are located in a different RRDN and are accessing these resources from the national IT solution website you are welcome to copy and save the IT solution files which we have created with SWP Chief Investigators. Please do not join the SWP sharing group.

These IT solutions have been developed  with Chief Investigators in SWP and tested in practices. Their use on the software system is as a tool to help identify potentially eligible patients for specific studies. This is a tool to assist in identification. The solutions are not comprehensive and the research site is expected to ensure that any suggested patient is screened to ensure they meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and select patients in accordance with the study protocol.

Please contact swp.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk if you have any study specific enquiries.

If you are interested in becoming involved or for more information about the project please get in touch using our Contact Form .

Further to our RSI 2022/23 invitation letter, you may recall that all RSI practices are required to implement/support the Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS) called EDGE, which is an effective system to support the tracking of research activity and allows the practice to oversee their work. The system is funded centrally by the SWP RRDN, and practices will be allowed to set up their own 'instance', supported by training from the RRDN.

We are currently implementing a new system to further support the upload of data to EDGE on behalf of Level 1, Active Affiliate, and Affiliate Practices.  More information regarding this will be provided to relevant practices.

In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding EDGE, please email swp.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk , and one of the SWP RRDN Team will be happy to assist.

Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) is a real-world research service supporting retrospective and prospective public health and clinical studies. CPRD is jointly sponsored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), as part of the Department of Health and Social Care.

CPRD collects de-identified patient data from a network of GP practices across the UK. Primary care data are linked to a range of other health related data to provide a longitudinal, representative UK population health dataset. The data encompass over 35 million patient lives, including 11 million currently registered patients.

Your practice can participate in supporting research by signing up. This is GDPR and information governance approved - see more details on the site.

The RCGP Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) is an internationally renowned source of information, analysis and interpretation of primary care data. Established in 1957, the RSC is an active research and surveillance unit that collects and monitors data, in particular on influenza, from over 500 practices across England.

In 2017 the RSC celebrated 50 years of weekly influenza surveillance and reporting, a landmark anniversary. The dataset is nationally representative, having only small differences with the national population, which have now been quantified, and can be assessed for clinical relevance for specific studies. With twice weekly data extractions, the dataset is one of the most up to date in the UK.

The RCGP RSC is currently recruiting practices to join the network. Your practice can participate in supporting research by signing up. This is GDPR and information governance approved - see more details on the site.

How to join: MedicalDirectorRSC@rcgp.org.uk