12 May 2026
Introducing Sabita Pokharel, Senior Research Nurse at Medway Hospital. Sabita supports a range of musculoskeletal, trauma and thyroid cancer studies and has played an active role in BSRBR-RA recruitment since 2022. Through clear communication, patient-focused processes and strong follow-up systems, Sabita has helped make participation in the register more accessible and convenient for patients. Her story highlights the vital role research nurses play in keeping studies running smoothly and supporting future advances in rheumatology care.
When did you start recruiting for the RA register?
“I have been involved with BSRBR recruitment actively from 2022. However, our site has been historically recruiting since 2003.”
How do you encourage patients to sign up?
Sabita explained that communication is central to every stage of the recruitment process. Patients are made aware of the study through posters in clinical areas, waiting rooms and the trust website, before receiving further information directly from the research team.
“We encourage patients by providing a brief overview of the study by telephone and explaining that the study does not require extra hospital visits.”
Sabita highlighted the benefits of outreach consent, which allows patients to complete forms and questionnaires in their own time and from home.
“The availability of outreach consent has motivated many patients to participate as they can complete the consent and questionnaires at their own pace and convenience.”
What challenges have you faced with recruitment?
Resource pressures and limited staff time can make in-person recruitment difficult, particularly when patients are hesitant about returning for additional appointments.
“Patients express hesitancy if they are asked to come for separate research visits for various reasons including their time and issues getting to the hospital.”
Although outreach consent has helped reduce barriers, Sabita noted that reaching patients by phone and relying on postal services can still present challenges.
“Even for outreach consent, it’s not always easy to reach patients via phone which leads us trying to contact them several times.”
What do you find most rewarding about contributing to the register?
For Sabita, one of the most rewarding parts of the role is seeing patients willingly take part in research to help future generations.
“The most rewarding part for me is when a participant signs up to the study without any hesitation saying they want to help by taking part in this research for future generations and future treatments.”
She also reflected on the pride that comes with contributing to a long-running and respected national study.
“Being recognised as having recruited well and completing follow ups means we are contributing towards advances in treatments in rheumatology care.”
Top tips for other sites
Sabita shared several practical tips for teams involved in recruitment and follow-up:
- Set aside dedicated time for follow-ups and data queries
- Encourage clinical staff and doctors to get involved in research initiatives
- Give patients plenty of time to read study information
- Make use of postal consent and outreach processes where possible
- Follow up by telephone after sharing study information
“A good time to catch patients could be during their follow-up clinic visit following initiation of biologics.”
Thank you to Sabita Pokharel for your continued commitment to BSRBR-RA and for supporting patients to take part in research that will shape the future of rheumatology care.