TY - JOUR T1 - The Clinical Research Network: get involved and expand your portfolio JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 409 LP - 409 DO - 10.3399/bjgp17X692357 VL - 67 IS - 662 AU - Claire Gilbert AU - Margaret Ikpoh Y1 - 2017/09/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/67/662/409.abstract N2 - One of the biggest barriers to embarking on clinical research is the prospect of obtaining the data needed to answer your question. The Clinical Research Network (CRN) is a national network divided into regions and clusters1 that helps overcome these barriers.The infrastructure, IT systems, and coding of UK general practice provides a wealth of opportunity for obtaining valuable research information. GPs can be involved in research as the primary investigator; allowing their consultation data to be used in a national database; or actively collecting data and recruiting patients from their practice via the CRN.The CRN is part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), and anyone on an NIHR-funded post has access to the network. Full details of NIHR posts are available on its website, including Academic Clinical Fellowships during GP … ER -