QResearch® - one of the largest GP research databases in the world - has launched a £10,000 award to improve the nation's health. The QInnovation award is inviting entries in the next eight weeks from UK research teams involved in projects that are likely to benefit patients or improve clinical care in primary health. The winning team must include a GP and at least one member with postgrad research experience, and the research must be completed within 2 years of the award.
The closing date for entries is 5pm on 30 Nov 2012 and the winning entry will be notified within a month.
QResearch® is a not-for-profit partnership between EMIS - the UK's market leading provider of software to GPs - and The University of Nottingham. Innovations from the partnership include QRisk2, a formula approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to identify people at risk of developing heart disease, which kills more than 110,000 in England each year.
The winning QInnovation team will receive
- a set of data from QResearch®
- 2-3 days of time from an expert epidemiologist/statistician
- Up to £10,000 to support the research or its dissemination
Dr Julia Hippisley-Cox, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and General Practice at Nottingham University and co-founder of QResearch® said: "The founding aim of QResearch® was to generate new knowledge to improve patient care and the health of the nation. That is why I am delighted to offer this exciting opportunity to stimulate research innovation in primary care, where the vast bulk of NHS work is carried out every day. The winning team will have at their disposal a rich source of patient data and research support, and I would urge my colleagues in primary care to consider entering."
Sean Riddell, Chief Executive of EMIS, said: "Our partnership with Nottingham University for QResearch® is ten years old this year, and continues to be a vital element of EMIS' innovative approach to healthcare. I cannot think of a better way than this to mark the anniversary.
"Since 2002, a growing number of EMIS users have volunteered data to assist QResearch in its valuable work. Without them, we would not have the vital knowledge that has helped improve patient care and outcomes in a range of major disease areas, including coronary care, cancer and diabetes."
To enter the award, please download: http://www.qresearch.org/PowerPointpresentations/QInnovation%20Application%20Form%20(1.0).doc
QResearch is a non-profit making venture run by the University of Nottingham in collaboration with EMIS. More than 750 EMIS practices, representing around 15 million patients, regularly contribute to the database. The system anonymises and uploads practices' clinical data to the central database. Then, to protect patient confidentiality, the data are further anonymised and the figures are totalled to produce data that are suitable for research.
The University of Nottingham, described by The Sunday Times University Guide 2011 as 'the embodiment of the modern international university', has 42,000 students at award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. The University aims to be recognised around the world for its signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy & sustainability, and health.
EMIS is the UK's leading supplier of healthcare software and related services to GP practices.