Karen’s thoughts on being a peer researcher

One afternoon in March, I received the phone call from my MS Nurse asking if I would be interested in taking part in some fantastic new research the MS Society was supporting.  I jumped at the chance and in March 2024, after a short informal interview I was selected to participate in the new Peer Research Study as a Peer researcher. 

I was so pleased to have the opportunity to take part and what really caught my attention and made it even more appealing was that the research focussed not just on people with MS but on two specific underrepresented minority groups, Black British and South Asian people.  This was perfect, as I felt I had something to contribute to the research in a constructive and relevant way; as I am a Black British woman, who was diagnosed and is living with MS. 

Work with the research team began in March, and since then things have been progressing at a steady pace. I have received relevant training to enable me to conduct both participatory interviews and qualitative research. I have also conducted my first two interviews. This was extremely interesting, and I found it to be a really effective way to gain insight into “how things made you feel” which I saw is such a refreshing prospective.  

On a personal note, being part of the research team has allowed me to upskill through relevant training, it has provided me with an opportunity to network with like-minded people and gain further insight into MS healthcare. However most importantly, it has provided me with the opportunity effect change by improving the way Black British and South Asian people interact with their MS healthcare; and I am looking forward to seeing the results of this research.  Karen Chong.