“I’m Participating in Research to do Something Good”

Philip Orrock, 68, is currently participating in a COPD study through the British Research Panel. Having signed up for a study that hopes to find a better treatment for COPD, Philip wanted to take part to help advance research.

“I applied to this trial as I’ve been living with COPD and thought I should try and do something good. The trial has got to be done and somebody has got to do it, so I decided to put my name down,” Phil tells us.

Phil has been living with COPD for 20 years and is among an estimated 1.2 million Brits living with this condition. With symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue, COPD can be exhausting to manage and can significantly limit peoples’ daily lives.

Having once been a keen cyclist, Philip is unable to do this anymore and like many others, he remains hopeful that a better treatment can be found.

Phil is among more than 5000 Brits to have signed up for this COPD trial, many of whom hope the quality of life with asthma can be improved.

Finding the Right Clinical Trial

Having filled out the questionnaire he came across on Facebook, Phil was contacted by our Research Nurses and later referred to a local hospital to participate in the trial.

“This is the first clinical trial I have participated in. My wife had actually applied for a trial a few years ago but she wasn’t suitable for it,” Phil tells us.

Finding a trial that matches individuals health information can be a long process, leading to many volunteers being turned down.

Nevertheless, every entry makes a huge difference, no matter how far a volunteer advances in the process. It takes thousands of entries to find a few matches, however every entry is valuable and contributes to advancing research.

In this case, the trial was a match for Phil and his family were fully on board with him participating.

“My family have been supportive of me participating in the trial and have said it’s a good thing to do. They’re really happy with me doing it,” Phil shares.

Not only is participating in research a journey for the volunteer, it can also impact the lives of their family members and those close to them. At the British Research Panel, we work to keep this in mind, building connections with participants and providing support to them and their families.

Preparing for Participation

At the British Research Panel, we want to ensure that patients feel safe and guided throughout their participation journey.

“The doctor at the site was really helpful. He told me what was going to happen and when,” says Phil. “The conversations I had with the nurses on the phone were also very good and informative, they’re lovely girls.”

Research Nurse, Jane, has been in contact with Phil during his participation journey. She values building relationships with volunteers so that they feel their needs are met and any concerns addressed.

“Keeping patients informed and guiding them through the research process is essential if we are to ensure they feel supported in their research journey,” Jane tells us. “I am delighted Mr Orrock has joined the study and that his first experience of a research trial has been so positive”.

The Journey So Far

A couple of months into his trial participation, Phil has had several visits to the hospital to test the new treatment.

“I think at the start of the trial I did 3 hospital visits for tests and since then I’ve had 2 injections”, says Phil.

Despite traveling back and forth to the hospital for tests and treatment, Phil has been content with his experiences and has no complaints.

“I’m picked up in a taxi because it’s about 40 miles away for me and it’s all provided by them. I’ve been happy travelling there.”

Taking a patient centric approach to research is one of our core values at the British Research Panel. We work to make participation easier and more convenient for participants.

I think things have been explained to me properly and I’ve been guided throughout the trial.

Hopes for a Brighter Future Ahead

“I feel better in myself since taking the first couple of injections. I’m not bringing up as much phlegm and I’m less breathless going up the stairs,” Phil tells us.

Despite it still being the early stages of the trial, we remain hopeful that a better treatment for COPD can be found.

“Seeing so much interest in this trial has been inspiring. For better treatments to be found, we need volunteers like Phil. Without the people, research can’t progress,” Head of Communication, Rasmus Hjorth tells us.

“On behalf of the British Research Panel, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has signed up so far. We will continue to place the patients’ needs at the centre of our focus, ensuring they feel supported and informed throughout their participation journey,” continues Hjorth.

At the British Research Panel, the patient is our priority. Catering to their needs and making their voices heard are among our core values and we will continue to work towards all patients having as positive of an experience as Phil.

“I think things have been explained to me properly and I’ve been guided throughout the trial; it’s been excellent. There’s nothing at all really, I’d like to see improved just yet, it’s all tickety-boo,” Phil concludes.

If you are interested in finding out more about this trial or how to express interest, take a look at our current studies: Our current studies – British Research Panel

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Written by:
Eloise Healey