John

Age at interview: 68
Brief Outline:

John has been part of a cohort study for ten years. Through the study, he took part in some research about using MRIs and, through this, he learnt more about his brain health.

Background:

John is married and has one child. He is a retired science filmmaker. His ethnic background is White British.

More about me...

John has been part of a cohort study for ten 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 Experience Insightsproject about his experience of having a TIA.

Interview conducted in 2019.

 

John is pleased to be a “data point” and to see research moving forward.

John is pleased to be a “data point” and to see research moving forward.

SHOW TEXT VERSION
PRINT TRANSCRIPT

Well, if I can provide a data point in their research fantastic, just to be a data point is, is hopefully of use to them because the more people that they assess, the more understanding will emerge from that and the team is quite often in the broadsheet press, as it were, about recommendations and research findings. ‘Oh, that’s interesting. They’re still extremely active and our understanding of stroke/TIAs/the whole, you know, working of the brain is moving forward rapidly only because of research. So, if I’m a data point in that research that’s good news rather than my own experience being completely of no use to anybody, much better.

 

John thinks medical research is vital and the only way to move forward.

John thinks medical research is vital and the only way to move forward.

SHOW TEXT VERSION
PRINT TRANSCRIPT

To me, medical research is vital. I’ve been involved in science all my life and I know that the only way to move forward in anything complex is through research and we have come so far in the last century with medical understanding. It’s come from research. It’s not random that we now enjoy the benefits of an extraordinary health system and I’m very happy to take part in any research because I think that’s the only way that, that we will move forward and there are plenty of issues that need further research and if I play a small part in the physical research or the outcomes of medical intervention then good.