Healthcare Research

Question 1

What is healthcare research?

Answer 1

Healthcare research is research into new or existing ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, treat illnesses, improve quality of life, support patients and staff, improve clinical effectiveness and value for money

Question 2

What is the differences between: research, clinical audit and service evaluation?

Answer 2

Research: deriving generalisable or transferable new knowledge to answer questions with scientifically sound methods

Service evaluation: designed and conducted solely to define or judge current care

Clinical audit: designed and conducted to produce information to inform delivery of best care

Question 3

What are the basic requirements to be met prior to research project and their rationale?

Answer 3

Relevant
Trial design
Risks and benefits
Protocol
Suitability
Quality 
Subject information
Consent procedure
Justification
Insurance/indemnity
Rewards or compensation
Subject recruitment
Registration

Question 4

What comprises ‘good evidence’ in healthcare?

Answer 4

Up to date information from relevant, valid research

Randomised controlled trials