Exploring the motivations of patients with type 2 diabetes to participate in clinical trials: a qualitative analysis.

Plain English Summary: Certain patient groups are reluctant to engage with clinical research and consequently findings are not always truly representative of the wider population. With the emphasis on evidence-based clinical practice, clinical research as a core activity for the National Health Service (NHS) and the rising prevalence of diabetes within the United Kingdom (UK) it is important to understand what motivates people to volunteer for research in diabetes and identify the barriers to this involvement. This research interviewed 12 people with type 2 diabetes who had previously taken part in diabetes clinical trials.

Management of patients with Graves' orbitopathy: initial assessment, management outside specialised centres and referral pathways.

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is uncommon, but responsible for considerable morbidity. A coordinated approach between healthcare professionals is required in order to meet the needs of patients. Early diagnosis can be achieved by a simple clinical assessment.

Quality of life in thyroid eye disease: impact of quality of care.

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a chronic debilitating condition causing physical discomfort, facial disfigurement and impaired visual function. The physical consequences of TED could have a negative and lasting impact on patients' employment, hobbies and psychosocial function. In this review, we assess the evidence of the impact of TED on patients' quality of life (QOL) and also explore the effects of suboptimal quality of care on QOL of patients with this disease.

The patient experience of services for thyroid eye disease in the United Kingdom: results of a nationwide survey.

Background: A recent consensus statement from the European Group on Graves' Orbitopathy recommends referring all patients with thyroid eye disease (TED), except the mildest cases, to a specialist multidisciplinary clinic.

Objective: To study the patients' experiences of accessing services for the treatment of TED in the UK.

Methods: A postal questionnaire survey of 395 members of two patients support organisations for TED in the UK, the TED Charitable Trust and the British Thyroid Foundation.

The impact of thyroid eye disease upon patients' wellbeing: a qualitative analysis.

Background: Previous studies using quality of life (QoL) questionnaires have shown poor QoL in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). However, predetermined questionnaires limit in-depth investigation of psychosocial and emotional effects of TED. A qualitative approach allows detailed exploration of patients' perceptions of wellbeing and can capture their lived experiences.