More detailed guidance

Good practice in research

We've consolidated two pieces of existing guidance, Good practice in research and Consent to research (2010), into a new, single publication. This will come into effect on 18 December 2024.

We've updated this guidance to:

• build on the principles relating to research in Good medical practice 2024 and reflect our 2022 position statement, Normalising research - Promoting research for all doctors
• highlight the benefits of supporting research, encourage research awareness and emphasise the importance of research-supportive workplace environments
• take account of major changes since 2010 in the organisations involved in carrying out research, and the legal framework and governance arrangements that underpin research in the UK
• emphasise that there are many ways in which patients and the public can take part in research and encourage pro-activity in promoting their participation. The guidance also highlights the importance of encouraging particular groups that are less well-represented in research activity
• add more detailed expectations around identifying, declaring and addressing conflicts of interest, to reflect national guidance on this subject.

Our other more detailed guidance

The following pieces of guidance came into effect on 30 January 2024.

• Delegation and referral
• Ending your professional relationship with a patient
• Identifying and managing conflict of interest
• Intimate examinations and chaperones
• Maintaining personal and professional boundaries
• Providing witness statements or expert evidence as part of legal proceedings
• Using social media as a medical professional