Finding appropriate researchers

If funding is to come from responsive research funders, a research team must be found to develop a proposal for a top 10 priority. They might be found individually by searching the internet for research centres, university departments or medical schools.

Alternatively researchers may be found through their networks. Particularly appropriate for research addressing treatment uncertainties are:

• UK Clinical Research Networks which coordinate and support research in: Cancer, Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Diabetes, Medicines for Children, Mental Health, Primary Care, Stroke. A Comprehensive Clinical Research Network supports research in all areas of disease and clinical need. (www.ukcrn.org.uk).  

• The Cochrane Collaboration, which aims to improve healthcare decision-making globally, through systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions, published in The Cochrane Library (www.cochrane.org).