Fifth Sense Announce Smell and Taste Disorders James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership
Working Together to Establish Research Priorities for Smell and Taste Disorders
Fifth Sense is excited to announce the launch of a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) to establish future research priorities of patients, carers and clinicians in the field of smell and taste disorders.
The PSP steering group will lead the development of a survey aimed at all those affected by smell and taste disorders, and includes carers and family, health or social care professionals and representatives of relevant organisations. The survey will cover obvious symptoms, such as a reduction or complete lack of smell or taste, to qualitative symptoms, such as smell distortions or hallucinations. The partnership will result in a vital list of informed priorities which will be a catalyst for future research into conditions that have a serious quality of life impact on so many.
Led by Professor Carl Philpott (Director of the UK’s first NHS clinic focusing on smell and taste disorders) and supported by funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the partnership will build on the increased awareness of smell and taste disorders that has resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic and provide a unique opportunity to engage patients and their families and friends, as well as the clinicians who support them.
Prof Philpott said: “This partnership will work hard to reach people with a smell or taste disorder– people whose voices are frequently not heard in research.”
Fifth Sense founder and Chair Duncan Boak said “Fifth Sense has pioneered collaboration between patients, their families and clinicians to transform the way smell and taste disorders are understood, treated and managed. The PSP builds on the work we’ve done over a number of years and gives us a fantastic opportunity to open up new avenues of patient-focused research, the need for which is even greater following the recognition of smell loss as a symptom of Covid-19.“
For more information regarding the PSP and how you can be involved, please contact Fifth Sense at JLA.PSP@fifthsense.org.uk
