Participating in a research study offers an opportunity for evaluation, diagnosis, and, in some cases, potential treatment, depending on your individual circumstances and the specific study. It also allows you to contribute to advancing our understanding of depression. However, it’s important to note that participation may or may not provide direct personal benefits.
Your participation in research is completely voluntary, and you can choose to withdraw at any time. If you decide to stop, it will not affect your ability to receive care at Oxford Health Foundation Trust.
How do I get involved?
You or your GP can refer yourself to the clinic by email or telephone:
Email: depressioncentre@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01865 902135
We have a standard process to see if you are eligible for our studies that begins with a short phone call with a research staff member. If your initial responses suggest that you may be a good fit for one of our studies, we conduct an in-person visit at our offices.
What can I expect if I take part in a research study?
If you take part in a research study, you will first be given detailed information about the purpose of the study, what you’ll need to do, and any possible risks or benefits. You may be asked to fill out surveys, complete simple tasks, have a brain scan, provide a blood sample, or try a new treatment, depending on the study. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you can stop at any time. Most studies keep your personal information private, and some may offer payment or cover travel costs.
Will I receive a placebo?
Research studies often utilize a placebo as a comparison to the treatment being investigated. If a study uses placebos, we will tell you about this prior to your participation in the research study
What happens at the end of my participation in a research study?
After participating in our study, you can have a follow-up consultation with one of our psychiatrists to discuss treatment options. They will also coordinate with your GP regarding medication management or ongoing care.
What happens if I don’t want to take part in a research study any more?
If you decide you no longer want to take part in a research study, you can withdraw at any time. Your participation is completely voluntary, and choosing to stop will not affect your access to care or any other services. If you decide to withdraw, we may ask if you’re willing to allow us to use any data collected up to that point, but this is entirely up to you
Will I be compensated?
You may or may not receive compensation for your time, and the amount would depend on the specific study and your level of participation. Details about the compensation are provided in the Participant Information Sheet (PIS) for each study.
Find out more about our research
To find out more about our research at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, please visit their website.
