DIPEx research into the personal and patient experiences of illness and health-related concerns is undertaken by the Health Experiences Research Group, part of the Department of Primary Care at the University of Oxford which was recently top-rated in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

Each collection of health experiences is based on an original research study using rigorous qualitative research methods to collect interviews and analyse what people tell us. Interviews are carried out by researchers in people’s own homes on a wide range of illnesses and health topics. Extensive video, audio and text clips are selected to reflect the things that are important to people with the condition. These are presented on our websites alongside information about illnesses and treatments, links to other websites and support groups, and a forum for sharing experiences and thoughts. As well as exploring serious or long-term conditions such as cancer, heart disease, mental health, chronic health and diseases of the brain and nervous system, healthtalkonline.org also covers life-related issues such as being a carer, pregnancy, sexual health, screening, immunisation and bereavement. The experiences of young people aged 16 to 25 are available on youthhealthtalk.org, You can review a detailed explanation of our research methodology here.

Support has come from government sources and a wide variety of charities, trusts and individuals, including the Department of Health and NHS, the British Heart Foundation, Comic Relief, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Relief, and the Wellcome Trust. The cost of undertaking a research module is approximately £100-150,000 and takes 14 months to complete.

If you are interested in funding specific research into a health condition or would like to know more about how to support currently planned research activities, please contact either Dr. Ann McPherson, Medical Director (Ann.McPherson@dphpc.ox.ac.uk) or Graham Shaw, Chief Executive (graham.shaw@dipex.org.uk).