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Biomedical subjects

A Pickersgill

Publications and source records attributed to A Pickersgill.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Why do women volunteer to participate in clinical studies?

The purpose of this study was to determine why young women volunteer to participate in clinical studies. Questionnaires were sent to 126 healthy fertile women, who during 1 year had undertaken contraceptive pill trials in the Reproductive Medicine Unit, of the University Hospital of South Manchester. An 85% response rate was obtained. Most of these women worked, were married and had children. Study recruitment was most effective by 'word of mouth', posters within the hospital not attracting many volunteers. They volunteered to take part because of the perceived financial gain from 'reasonable expenses' payable. Only 11.2% expressed a desire to assist in medical research or have their own health checked. The sex of the study investigator was not crucial to their participation; 94.4% were willing to participate in future pill trials. Therefore, when planning a clinical study requiring healthy volunteers, reasonable expenses are an essential compensation to aid the recruitment process.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Reducing hours of work of preregistration house officers: report on a shift system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the advantages and disadvantages of a shift system of working compared with the conventional on call system for preregistration house officers. DESIGN: A shift system of working was employed in the unit from 1 August 1989 to 31 July 1990. During attachments of three or six months four house officers rotated at intervals of one month among three daytime shifts and one night shift (Mondays to Fridays only). Weekends (48 hours) were worked on a one in three rota by the doctors working a day shift. The views of the house officers working this shift system were sought in writing and by direct interview. SETTING: Professorial surgical unit, Royal Liverpool Hospital. SUBJECTS: The 14 house officers who were attached to the unit for three or six months during their preregistration year. RESULTS: The shift system was preferred to conventional on call without exception. The incidence of chronic tiredness was reduced and formal hand-over between shifts resulted in more informed decision making by doctors while on call. During annual leave it was sometimes necessary to revert to the conventional one in three on call system to ensure that daytime work was completed. Other disadvantages were the long weekend shift and an inequitable distribution of the night shift. The house officers recommended extending the shifts to weekends and working the night shift one week in four. CONCLUSION: A shift system of working was effective in reducing chronic tiredness among house officers, who found it preferable to conventional on call arrangements. Shift working is feasible only if the daytime duties of the doctor working at night can be completed by the other doctors on the rota.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗