Virtual healthcare research institute launched

A group of research institutions and healthcare user groups has joined forces to form the Virtual Institute of Research in Healthcare Practice (VIRIHP).

Members will work together via online discussion boards, email and telephone and video conferencing in addition to conventional face-to-face meetings twice a year.

One of the institute’s objectives will be to “develop a research community by using technology to facilitate the initiation and sharing of research among researchers, practitioners, students and the wider community.”

The virtual institute, which has secured funding for three years so far, aims by 2008 to become a major post-graduate research institute producing internationally recognised research and providing high quality research supervision.

The seven VIRIHP partner organisations are: Addenbrookes: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (jointly represented by Addenbrookes and Homerton School of Health Care), Barts and the London NHS Trust, City University, the Long-term Medical Conditions Alliance (an alliance of patient organisations), the Royal College of Nursing Institute (RCNI), the University of Leicester and the University of Ulster.

Rachel Taylor of the RCNI said: “This is an innovative partnership which brings together healthcare users, practitioners and researchers. Each member organisation brings together a diversity of skills, experiences and perspectives. We hope to produce highly relevant research which will help make real difference to the health and well being of people and communities.”

Early projects identified include research to look at the role of patient organisations in facilitating patient-centred care; the role of disclosure of illness in self-management of care; a developmental study exploring the ideal clinic for adolescents with diabetes and a study of the implementation of national guidelines for peri-operative fasting.