12 May 2026
Introducing Dr Srinivasan Srirangan, Consultant Rheumatologist and Register Champion at Medway Hospital. Dr Srirangan is passionate about improving outcomes for people living with rheumatoid arthritis through high-quality clinical research and registry data. Alongside a close-knit team of clinicians, trainees and research staff, he has helped embed recruitment to BSRBR-RA into routine clinical practice, ensuring patients are identified and approached at the right point in their treatment journey. His story highlights the importance of teamwork, persistence and creating a research-positive culture, even within a busy and stretched rheumatology service.
How long have you been involved with BSRBR-RA recruitment?
“We have been recruiting patients for a few years but have become more focused and structured from 2024 onwards. We have added recruitment into our biologics pathway processes to ensure eligible patients are consistently identified and approached.”
How do you encourage patients to sign up?
Dr Srirangan and the team introduce research discussions at a natural stage in the patient pathway, usually when biologic therapy is being considered. At this point, patients are often highly engaged in understanding their condition and treatment options.
“We explain how participation contributes not only to their own care through structured follow-up, but also to advancing knowledge that benefits others living with rheumatoid arthritis.”
The team also proactively screens for suitable candidates during fortnightly virtual biologic clinics, ensuring patients are contacted promptly and given further information about taking part.
Have you faced any challenges with recruitment?
Like many rheumatology services, balancing recruitment alongside day-to-day clinical pressures can be difficult.
“Time and resource constraints remain ongoing challenges, particularly within a busy and understaffed service.”
Dr Srirangan also highlighted the challenges of postal consent and digital engagement, recognising that patients often have competing priorities and varying levels of confidence with online processes.
“We recognise that our patients have busy lives and competing priorities that may delay or prevent participation.”
What do you find most rewarding about contributing to the register?
For Dr Srirangan, one of the most rewarding aspects is knowing that their work contributes to improving understanding of biologic therapies and long-term patient outcomes.
“It is immensely rewarding to know that our contributions help strengthen understanding of biologic therapies, particularly their real-world effectiveness and long-term safety in rheumatoid arthritis.”
He also reflected on the shared sense of contribution felt by patients who take part in the study.
“Many value being part of something that extends beyond their own care.”
Top tips for other sites
Dr Srirangan shared several key pieces of advice for teams looking to strengthen recruitment:
- Start research conversations early in the treatment journey
- Clearly explain the value of participation for both current and future patients
- Make participation as simple and accessible as possible
- Be persistent, but always respectful of patients’ circumstances
- Create a research-positive culture by involving trainees and encouraging collaboration
“Building a supportive environment where research is embedded into routine clinical practice allows participation to flourish, even in resource-limited settings.”
Thank you to Dr Srinivasan Srirangan for your continued support of BSRBR-RA and for helping drive research forward in rheumatology care.