John has been part of a cohort study for 10 years. After experiencing a transient ischemic attack (TIA), he was asked by his doctor if he would like to join the study. John’s participation in the cohort study has involved having cognitive, memory, and physical tests. He was particularly pleased with how accessible the research team were. John felt that if he had any concerns, he could ring the team and have his questions answered. He remembers one particular scenario where he felt unwell and the team told him to come in for a check-up.

John remembers being given a blood pressure monitor early on in the study. The monitor was connected to his phone so that the data could be sent to the research team. John says that, when he was first given the machine, he was told by the research team that it was important that he used it every day without missing a day. He has kept the blood pressure monitor for medical reasons so that he can report any concerning readings to his GP. John’s more recent participation has involved having an annual checkup by his GP and a research team member came to his house for a ten-year assessment.

When John was invited to join the cohort study, he was very happy to take part. He took part in research about using MRI which he says was an “extraordinary experience”. Johns believes he benefited from taking part in the study because the MRI found out more information about his brain health. He thinks that if it was not for taking part in the study, he would not have found this information out.

John thinks that the cohort study’s findings should be more accessible to the public. He thinks that currently findings are only available to the study team or other academics. His message to people who are invited to take part in research is to do it because it is interesting and because it could help other people with similar conditions. John previously took part in another health talk.org project about his experience of having a TIA.

Interview conducted in 2019.