A year ago, Tony could not have imagined he would be a key part of an important research project on peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
PAD is a common circulatory problem where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, most often affecting the legs. However, existing devices used to diagnose PAD do not work equally well across all skin tones. They can even miss a diagnosis of PAD in those who have darker skin.
As one of the African Caribbean community leaders in Doncaster, Tony needed little convincing to get involved once he’d heard about the Skin Perfusion study.
Tony said: “I didn’t need to be persuaded. Once it was explained to me, I wanted to be part of it. I wasn’t aware of the significance of this condition (PAD), and I now know about how it affects Black people and the need for better treatment.”
The study is about checking how well blood is circulating. It looks at how blood is reaching the skin and tissues in the lower leg in people with very poor circulation. For accurate evidence to be gathered, it was vital the research team engaged with a diverse population.
Tony helped bridge this gap in real-life evidence by engaging his community. Understanding barriers such as language, trust and lack of awareness, meant the study was delivered in ways that felt safer, more accessible and more relevant.
Inclusive research and community involvement generates evidence from which everyone can benefit.
The experience has left Tony with a new perspective on research: “I would encourage people to participate if the opportunity arose. It is important and empowering. I feel more knowledgeable and I can pass the information on to others to encourage them to attend these kinds of things.”
How you can get involved with research
Sign up to Be Part of Research to be contacted about a range of health and care research. Or check out our full list of studies to see if one is right for you.
And if taking part in a study doesn’t feel right at the moment there are other ways to get involved in research.
