The University of Salford and the James Lind Alliance are leading a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) which will ensure the perspectives of patients, carers and health care practitioners inform future research priorities for charities and funding agencies (such as NIHR). This PSP is an important step forward in understanding the current foot health research priorities across the UK, bringing patients, their carers and clinicians together to identify and prioritise unanswered questions about the effects of treatments (‘treatment uncertainties’) in specific conditions or areas of healthcare need.
The Steering Group is hoping ARMA members will participate in this unique exercise.
A PSP allows clinicians and patients to decide what research should be done, rather than researchers. The James Lind Alliance provides a specific methodology to achieve this and has become a trusted partner to many major charities across the UK. The top ten research priorities will inform all future research spending by the William M. Scholl Endowment Trust (who is also funding the PSP) and it
is expected that other agencies will also adhere to the outcomes (such as NIHR).
This is therefore an opportunity to help guide how millions of pounds will be spend on research over the next decade. As part of the James Lind Alliance methodology a small (12-15) but influential Steering Group is used and its role is to support the leadership of the PSP. Steering group members with direct relevant experience as patients, carers or health care professionals will be invited to participate in the priority setting exercise.
Where does the ARMA membership come in? Taking part in the PSP, by completing the survey when it has been developed later this year, will be a unique opportunity to help shape and address the focus of future foot health research questions that really matter. This is a chance to ensure that foot health research has direct relevance to those that matter; and that there is a clear, transparent pathway to a lasting impact on the future of foot health management.
On the James Lind Alliance website you can read about the JLA and PSPs past and present to help you understand the process and outcomes of the priority setting agenda in more detail.
The Foot Health PSP web site is here: www.foothealthpsp.org.