MS Peer Research

The exploration of MS patient experiences within minoritised ethnic groups, particularly among people from Black British and South Asian ethnicities, is a notably under-researched area. This gap is evident throughout the research spectrum, from its conceptualisation to its execution.

The MS Peer Research project engages in a critical examination of healthcare experiences of Black British and South Asian people with MS. Central to this enquiry is a participatory design approach, positioning people with MS not just as subjects, but as peer researchers. This model promotes their active participation in every aspect of the research — from shaping the research questions to collecting and and interpreting the data.

We plan to engage people with MS from Black British and South Asian backgrounds in interviews and focus groups to understand their experiences in the healthcare system. Our participatory analysis will focus on uncovering systemic barriers and facilitators in accessing and using healthcare services. We will then bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, and people with MS in co-design workshops. These sessions aim to develop interventions and service models that directly address the needs and challenges identified in our research.

The study is being ran at the MS services at The Royal London Hospital (Barts Health NHS Trust), Kings' College Hospital (Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust), Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, and Bradford Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust. The project is funded by The MS Society, UK.