A leading member of the BMA has responded to criticism in this week's BMJ (14/04/06), which accuses medical academics of neglecting doing the type of research which best serves patients.

(BMA = British Medical Association.
BMJ = British Medical Journal)

Dr Anita Holdcroft, Deputy Chair of the BMA's Medical Academics Committee, said:

"Medical academics at the BMA share exactly those concerns expressed in the BMJ this week, about the lack of basic-level medical research in the UK. But the editorial has got the wrong target in blaming academics - since they have little control over the type of research they can undertake.

"Funding for biomedical research is a very competitive business, with the research agenda firmly driven by the funding bodies - the Medical Research Council, the pharmaceutical industry and charities.

"Medical academics are keen to do all kinds of research - including the basic and observational 'first step' studies highlighted by the BMJ's editorial. This kind of work is important for evaluating if a treatment is actually effective for patients. But academics often find themselves frustrated by the unwillingness of the funding bodies to even consider investing in this type of research.

"Most funders are more interested in drug trials and investigating specific theories. While appreciative of this investment, medical academics need funding for a wider breadth of work - including observational research - if research is to be truly patient-centred."

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