Humans of health research
Interviews with researchers and patients working together to improve healthcare
Healthcare research conducted by Imperial’s clinical academics is saving lives, improving patients' health outcomes and transforming NHS services.
To celebrate the extraordinary work of our clinical researchers Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre has launched an online photography exhibition to spotlight some of Imperial’s clinical researchers and their innovative work. It also features the patients who have benefited, and whose experiences and input have influenced and inspired the research.
Covering a broad range of medical specialities, each portrait highlights what motivates these hardworking staff as well as demonstrating why their research is vital.
In this feature, the ninth in the Humans of Health Research series, we hear from a Parkinson's researcher and his patient on trialing a new treatment to prevent frequent falls. We also hear from a research midwife who is part of a team investigating the best technique to manage poor growth in babies during the later stages of pregnancy.
Dr Yen Foung Tai
Dr Yen Foung Tai is an Honorary Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Brain Sciences and Consultant Neurologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. His research focuses on developing new treatments for Parkinson's.
“The majority of my patients have movement disorders, among which Parkinson’s is the biggest group. Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson's in the UK and it's the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.
“My research in this area has been informed by the challenges and issues that patients encounter.
"For example, the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s are tremors and slowness of movement. Some treatments are effective in improving these, like dopamine drugs and an invasive surgical procedure called deep brain stimulation, which involves implanting electrodes deep into the brain. However, they are generally ineffective in reducing falls - another common symptom in Parkinson’s patients - and some people become resistant to the treatment and start to deteriorate.
“There have been some preliminary studies both in animals and humans looking at spinal stimulation to help with problems in Parkinson’s patients. Most of these studies were small safety studies and open ended, so we couldn’t eliminate the placebo effect.
“I am leading a study to trial a surgical implant that alters nerve activity, which could improve movement and reduce the number of falls.
“I find research intellectually challenging, I enjoy trying to solve a problem that has not been cracked before, so hopefully I can make a difference to patients as well.
"The Spinal Cord Stimulation device works by sending a low-voltage electrical current to different areas of the spinal cord and it is already used to treat people with chronic back and nerve pain. Previous studies in mice have shown that it could be used to treat Parkinson’s patients.
"The study is taking place at Charing Cross Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
“I have always been interested in doing research and using it to help my patients better. I think once you become an NHS consultant, time is a factor as you’re often consumed by clinical work.
"I applied for the Medical Research Council Clinical Research Fellowship which supports my academic work and enables me to increase the amount of time I spend on this work. This protected time as a result of this fellowship is hugely beneficial for me, personally.
“I find research intellectually challenging. I enjoy trying to solve a problem that has not been cracked before, so hopefully I can make a difference to patients as well."
Natalia Walder
Natalia Walder is living with Parkinson's and supports Dr Yen Foung Tai's research in this area.
“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2002 aged 42. I started noticing that I was limping a little bit and then for a year or so I thought something was wrong with my knee. What really frightened me was one day I was in a meeting at work and trying to take notes and the handwriting became laboured. That made me think something is not right in my brain.
“Once diagnosed, I was put on medication which initially gave me a much better quality of life and helped with the symptoms. However, I have started to deteriorate because after ten years or so, your body gets used to the medication and it is not as effective.
Anything I could do to help research in this area which eventually leads to a cure is really important to me because Parkinson’s is a terrible disease. It really is.
“Dr Tai is my neurologist and I think he’s great. Despite being so busy he’s never in a rush and he takes his time to explain things to me. I can ask him anything and he really explains it properly and listens, which is so important.
“Dr Tai asked me if I would be interested in supporting him with his research work and I said yes of course. Anything I could do to help research in this area which eventually leads to a cure is really important to me because Parkinson’s is a terrible disease. It really is. I’ve family members who also have it like my nephew who was 17 years old when he was diagnosed. It shows that it’s not just the elderly who get this disease.
“I help Dr Tai with his research by taking part in interviews where I share my experiences of living with Parkinson’s and how it affects me. I feel happy that I can take part and help in any way.
“I think the more research that is done, the more that it will benefit society in general to find new ways, even cures, for some terrible diseases. It is important because without research and trials, and what have you, we wouldn't be where we are today.
Jenny Goodier
Jenny Goodier is the Lead Research Midwife on The Trial of Randomised Umbilical and Fetal Flow in Europe 2 (TRUFFLE 2) study.
The study, led by researchers at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust aims to clarify the optimal timing of delivering babies with fetal growth restriction (FGR) - a condition caused by a lack of blood flow to the placenta, causing the unborn baby to be smaller than expected -in late preterm pregnancy (32-36 weeks). The study is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Imperial Biomedical Research Centre.
“I started doing research in 2018 because I was aware that some of my midwifery colleagues had gone into the field and were part of some cutting-edge science. Before then, I didn’t realise that midwives could be part of studies, helping to recruit patients and learning about new evidence.
“Research work matched up well with my clinical role as a community midwife and I was able to learn about the new advances that were happening in my field. I found it really interesting and rewarding to explain to patients current studies that were happening and how they could be involved.
Research has allowed me the opportunity to work alongside these specialist doctors who are working in fetal medicine and are looking at much more specialised complications in pregnancy.
“My role as a research midwife in the TRUFFLE 2 study is liaising with the patients. I see patients during their appointments, I talk to them in between appointments, and work with the doctors and midwives to ensure any assessments that we need to carry out as part of the study are not creating any further workload for them.
“Being part of research has opened up many doors for me. As a midwife you’re primarily focused on non-complicated pregnancies. Research has allowed me the opportunity to work alongside these specialist doctors who are working in fetal medicine and are looking at much more specialised complications in pregnancy.
"I have learnt so much, especially about scanning. I am hoping to develop in this area and possibly become a midwife sonographer in the future.”
The Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre is a university-NHS partnership aiming to transform healthcare through research.
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