Medical Research and Research Governance
Research is vital in improving care and reducing uncertainty for patients now and in the future, and improving the health of the population as a whole. 1

A number of different activities come under the umbrella term of 'medical research'. This ranges from working in a laboratory with a microscope and cells, to investigations based on humans and patients in hospitals.

Medical Research can be grouped into 3 main categories:

  • Clinical Audits
  • Research (Clinical or Laboratory)
  • Service Evaluation

  • Clinical Audits: Aim is to see whether current standard of care is following pre-defined standards. Requires submission to RECs (Research Ethics Committee)
  • Research: Aims to produce new knowledge to benefit patients in the future, and does not intend to directly benefit participants. Does not require REC approval.
  • Service evaluation: Designed to define or measure current practise. Is not intended to be generalised beyond the setting at which the evaluation takes place. Does not require REC approval.
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