Lessons learned from North West England Research Partnership to Improve Early Detection of Liver Disease

Background Liver disease prevalence has increased dramatically in the UK over recent decades. It disproportionately affects people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and is a major cause of mortality in working age people. There are significant geographic variations in liver disease and related mortality. Unfortunately, liver disease research has not been centred in areas with highest disease. To address this, we developed a regional research partnership in North West England, an area with some of the highest rates of disease in the country and historically low research activity. Aims Develop a research network growing out of the expertise developed in Manchester to Greater Manchester and Lancashire. Use national expertise in data access, and curation and decision analytics and methodology, including health economics and decision-analytic modelling, to develop an ambitious and feasible research plan. Establish links with local community organisations in underserved areas. Development of fundable and implementable research proposal to answer an unmet need in liver disease. Design A multi-stakeholder network of experts was developed to identify evidence gaps highlighted by healthcare workers in areas of high disease burden and develop methodologically robust research propositions to address them. Structured stakeholder meetings helped to understand the clinical unmet needs in caring for people with liver disease, focusing on areas of high disease burden and groups traditionally underserved. These questions were developed into research proposals and presented to all stakeholders to identify proposals with greatest importance and deliverable potential. Results Working alongside a breadth of stakeholders and methodological support this study developed detailed plans for four high-priority projects, establishing a shared understanding on the most critical research questions, targeted behaviours, and primary outcomes. It identified suitable methodologies to address these questions and to guide the development of effective interventions and research questions. Conclusion Through detailed discussions to address key evidence gaps in liver disease care our network collaboratively developed research proposals for national funding.