Research Among The General Public

Doctors Still Top The Poll As Most Trusted Profession

Doctors still top the poll as the professionals that the public trust most. An Ipsos MORI survey commissioned by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) shows that doctors come out first when the public is asked whom they generally trust to tell the truth. The annual poll indicates that nine in ten adults say they trust doctors to tell the truth.

Public Perceptions Of And Attitudes Towards The Use Of Human Tissue

Ipsos MORI was recently commissioned by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) to examine general public perceptions of, and attitudes towards, the use of human tissue. Qualitative discussion groups were conducted in April / May 2007 in two locations across Great Britain. The qualitative research was followed up with quantitative questions placed on Ipsos MORI's Public Affairs Monitor in May 2007 to gauge views on the same issues from a representative sample of adults in Great Britain.

Keeping It Confidential: Public Attitudes Towards The Use Of Personal Health Information In Medical Research

It is well established in the medical research community that research on the personal health records of large numbers of people can provide important insights and help make medical advances. However, to date, little work has been done to investigage how the public feel about the use of their personal health information.

Therefore, the Medical Research Council commissioned Ipsos MORI to look at public attitudes to and awareness of the use of personal health information in medical research.

Public Trust in Doctors is Still High

"My contact at Ipsos MORI was always available to discuss potential problems and was able to shape the …'s needs into meaningful research"

Anon

Ipsos MORI have been monitoring public trust in professions since 1983. Doctors are consistently rated as the most trustworthy of a variety of professionals — including teachers, scientists, politicians and journalists.

This year the poll, commissioned by the Royal College of Physicians, shows that the public's trust in doctors remains high, with 92% of GB adults trusting them to tell the truth.

Teachers, professors, judges and clergymen/priests are also considered trustworthy by at least three-quarters of the population.

Journalists are considered to be the least trustworthy professionals (only 19% of adults trust them to tell the truth). Politicians and government ministers come marginally, but not significantly ahead — only one in five adults trust them to tell the truth.

A Consultation Into Research Into Ageing (May 2006)

Ipsos MORI was recently commissioned by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to investigate public attitudes into research into ageing. Qualitative workshops were carried out in March in England, Scotland and Wales with members of the general public into public experiences, understanding and attitudes towards ageing and scientific research into ageing. Part-way through the session respondents were offered examples of fields and specific projects where research into ageing has been conducted. They were then asked about the criteria they would use to evaluate which project areas should receive funding and how and why they would allocate funds to various areas. Quantitative questions were placed on Ipsos MORI's Omnibus survey in May to ascertain views across the UK population.

Confidence In Doctors Who Communicate Well

More than four in five patients are confident in their doctor, but this confidence is directly correlated with the doctor's ability to provide adequate information, according to surveys commissioned by the General Medical Council (GMC) from MORI. The projects, conducted during spring/summer 2005, show how much good communication skills influence the way in which the general public responds to their doctor.

Consultation into Diet and Health Research for BBSRC (2005)

This programme of research for the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council assesses public priorities for research into diet and health which falls within the BBRSC remit. This research study maps ongoing research priorities against the public's agenda for research into diet and health. The research represents a 'sense check' for BBSRC, allowing ongoing research priorities to be compared with public opinions on research into diet and health. It is topical, owing to the recent public and media interest in obesity, the white paper ('Choosing Health', published 16 November 2004) and current Institute of Food Research (IFR) and BBSRC research initiatives. It is timely as IFR is currently developing its 10-year vision, and BBSRC generally is moving towards greater openness in their decision-making processes.

The research programme comprised desk research, describing the research methods that can be used for assessing public priorities for research into diet and health, and recommendations for developing MORI's research for BBRSC; qualitative research, involving two general public workshops; and a large-scale quantitative survey of behaviour, attitudes and opinions among the general public in the UK.

The European Society of Cardiologists' Conference, Amsterdam

A five country European study, funded by Merck, on awareness of cholesterol, which foods are thought to contain it, and the risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. The findings revealed some misconceptions about foods which contain cholesterol, and that high levels of awareness did not necessarily translate into 'healthy' behaviours.

A Study Of Public Attitudes To Heart Attacks And Strokes, for the American Heart Association Conference and Sanofi-Synthélabo

Focusing on adults aged 35+, the study looked at overall concern about heart attack and stroke, and the impact of these cardiovascular diseases (CVD) on quality of life. In addition, awareness of the link between the various forms of vascular disease and the risk of subsequent heart attacks and stroke following an earlier event was examined, as was awareness of the role of lifestyle changes and medication - including aspirin and Plavix - for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke

Research for Novartis on Controversial Technologies

This examined people's levels of support for various forms of biotechnology per se, and then the degree to which they might alter their view if it could be proven that certain developments could arise from biotechnology (e.g. a cure for Alzheimer's disease). The results were presented at The Annual Conference of the BA (The British Association for The Advancement of Science) at The University of Sheffield.

Attitudes to Human Genetics Information for The Human Genetics Commission

Conducted among over 1,000 members of The People's Panel, with a booster of black and Asian respondents, the research examined public understanding of genetics and human genetic information. The results revealed broad support for possible future benefits offered by human genetic research, but several misgivings about the regulation of such developments in the future (e.g. the use of such information for setting insurance premiums). The research complemented HGC's own consultation 'Whose Hands on Your Genes?'.