Information for Patients
Q: What is QRESEARCH ?
A: QRESEARCH is an organisation that takes data from your GPs computer system, sorts it, then makes the information available to medical researchers.
Q: What sort of information is taken from the GPs computer system?
A: Unrecognisable information is taken from the GPs system about the illnesses people have had and what treatment the doctor gave them.
Q: What is this information used for?
A: This information is used to compare many different types of treatment to see what is the most effective. It is also used to try and discover if, for example, having one type of illness makes people more likely to get another type of illness.
Q: Who supplies this information?
A: This information is supplied by over 680 GP practices and the system has over 13 million records.
Q: Exactly what information is sent to QRESEARCH?
A: Only medical information is sent. No personal details about you are ever sent. You cannot ever be recognised from the information sent to QRESEARCH. In fact, it would be against the law for personal or recognisable information to be sent. The GPs computer system allocates your information a unique number but the link between you and that number never leaves your GPs practice.
Q: How is the information given to researchers?
A: The information is given to approved researchers in the form of tables. No personal information (your name, address etc.) cannot be given to the researchers because QRESEARCH does not have this information.
Q: Who runs QRESEARCH?
A: QRESEARCH is managed by the Chief Executive of EMIS – the company who supplies your GP with their computers – and a Professor of General Practice at Nottingham University. QRESEARCH has an Advisory Board - who ensure that it is run correctly and ethically – of medical professionals and two patient representatives.
Q: Does anyone profit financially from the use of my information?
A: No. Apart from the computer technicians who are paid by Nottingham University, no one is paid for their role in QRESEARCH. QResearch reimburses reasonable expenses for members of its advisory board, covering cost of travel and attendance at meetings.
Further, more detailed information on QRESEARCH and the results of research projects can be obtained from our website: www.qresearch.org.
Terence Wiseman
Patient Representative,
QResearch Advisory Board.