Our very own TrialBlazer Sonia Patton
Our very own TrialBlazer Sonia Patton, a member of PIER (Public Involvement
Enhancing Research) NI and the NICRCF (NI Cancer Research Consumer Forum),
took to the stage on Saturday 7th
May to address the Scottish Cardiovascular
Forum, held at Magee Campus, Ulster University, on Patient Advocacy and Public
Involvement. The day was attended by 46 clinicians and researchers from across
Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Having experienced cancer as a patient and other long term health issues, Sonia is
a passionate advocate for the patient and public voice and feels strongly that
opportunities are created to ensure their equal participation in research decisions
that impact their treatment and care. She is also a strong advocate for the
engagement of service users in research and evidence training having herself
benefited from the opportunity to gain her masters in MSc in Development and
Co-Production in Social Care Research at Ulster University.
Sonia said
"During my 3-years as a service user student on the Research Methods Programme, the
funding organisation the then Health and Social Care Board and academic staff have
provided unending support. Their genuine belief in parity of participation has been
invaluable. I am particularly keen to promote involvement in quality of life studies that are
inclusive of the patient journey and daily struggles when living with long-term conditions.
This extends to raising the profile in cancers of unmet need in particular, oesophageal and
pancreatic cancers, having experienced loss of close friends and family to these cancers'.
To read more click here.
To watch some short videos highlighting the importance of clinical trials in
research click here.
For more information about taking part in research and how you can support the
TrialBlazer campaign please visit at https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/
trialblazers/