Priorities for research
We support research into several musculoskeletal disorders and
conditions.
Our research spans the spectrum from fundamental research into
the healthy functioning of the musculoskeletal system into an
understanding of the causes and consequences of disorders that
affect this through to the development and testing of new markers
for disease presence or outcome.
We have a specific interest in the development, at all stages,
and the testing of new therapies and management strategies both for
individuals and health care systems.
Given this wide scope and that the demand is much greater our
available resources then the funding decisions will be based on the
following priorities:
The health impact of the disorder
Funding is preferentially directed towards those musculoskeletal
disease areas that have the greatest impact on both society and
individuals.
Impact is considered both in terms of the numbers of sufferers
and also the severity and consequences of a particular
disorder.
The health impact of the research
Funding is preferentially directed towards research that has the
potential for the greatest impact on the target disorder in terms
of reducing its incidence or severity.
We accept that research leading to acquisition of knowledge may
have an important impact in the future but the immediate gains to
health are less certain. Such research also forms a key part of our
overall portfolio.
Tractability
Funding is preferentially directed towards research that has the
greatest chance of answering the questions posed.
We accept that it may be easier to make progress with rare
disorders than with common ones.
Consumer involvement
Issues of the potential health impact of research into a
disorder are within the competence of informed members of lay
public, including affected individuals and their families to
assess.
Further, although the tractability of research and its
consequences in terms of health benefit require professional
judgement, informed lay individuals can also utilise such
information to guide priorities in research.
We are committed to maximising the role of such consumers in
establishing its research priorities in a constructive manner.
Other funders
We are likely to remain the dominant funder of musculoskeletal
research for the foreseeable future but we are only one of a number
of funders of research in this area of interest.
We will work with other funders ranging from small charities
which support a single or group of related musculoskeletal
disorders to larger national funders such as the UK Research
Councils, the NHS and the Wellcome Trust.
We recognise that particularly for rarer disorders, single
disease charities aim to ensure a research focus that otherwise
might not exist.
We are committed to achieving our research goals in all areas of
its interest and aim to work collaboratively with other charities
where research interests overlap.
The major national funders such as the government funded
Research Councils, particularly (but not exclusively) the Medical Research Council, the
NHS through to the National Institute for Health Research and large
organisations such as the Wellcome Trust contribute and will
continue to contribute to the overall level of research funding in
our areas of interest.
We support the maximum use of funds from such organisations
being directed towards achieving its goals.
In addition it is noted that:
- Funding of basic research into the function of cells and
tissues, which can have an impact in several areas of medicine, is
likely to be preferentially supported by the Research Councils
although we do have a role
- Opportunities for joint funding where appropriate will be
explored