Sector | Academic research

Embedding clinical research at the heart of patient care

For over 25 years, we’ve supported ethical clinical research with a clear goal: improving patient outcomes on a national scale. We work with over 30 UK universities on health research projects, helping turn academic discoveries into real-world improvements in patient care. By embedding these innovations directly into clinical systems, we help ensure they reach patients faster, supporting better health outcomes.

Bridging the gap between research and practice

Over the next decade, the government aims to address our most pressing health challenges by turning the UK into a global centre of excellence for life sciences, embedding clinical research at the heart of patient care across the NHS.

The Lord Darzi report highlights the critical role of clinical academics in bridging research and practice, yet their numbers are declining. By integrating tools directly into NHS systems, we're supporting healthcare professionals to support vital research as part of day-to-day care.

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Recruit

Transforming clinical trial recruitment

By embedding clinical research into primary care, we make it easier for patients and clinicians to participate in and benefit from research. Our technology streamlines trial recruitment and leverages routinely collected data to support ethical research and the adoption of new treatments.

Recruit for academic researchers

Find out how our Recruit platform is supporting academic researchers to identify more quality candidates using patient health data.
Clinical trial recruitment
Recruit for healthcare professionals

Find out how our Recruit platform is used by primary care teams to identify and reach eligible patients for clinical trials.
Recruit

Catalysing change in primary care

We’re proud to have sponsored the 2024 report 'Harnessing primary care data for clinical research and trial recruitment' from Newmarket Strategy. This paper explores how primary care data can transform clinical research and improve patient outcomes. It features expert insights, novel research, and recommendations to drive progress in the sector.

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World class data and analytics

Rich, high-quality data can help healthcare researchers and academics identify trends, develop new treatments, and enhance healthcare delivery. Our EMIS-X analytics platform provides secure, ethical access to a vast dataset—1.3 trillion clinical events and 55 billion clinical observations—enabling groundbreaking research that drives real-world impact. In partnership with research organisations, we aim to create lasting change in healthcare, addressing emerging challenges and advancing patient care.

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Collaborate with us

We’re committed to supporting researchers in shaping the future of healthcare. If you’re looking to analyse rich health data, enhance research delivery, or embed innovations into clinical systems, we’d love to collaborate. Together, we can drive meaningful change and improve patient outcomes through research and innovation.

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News & insights

Keep up to date on academic research at Optum

Customer story

Award winning technology helps NIHR increase clinical trial recruitment in primary care

News

EMIS wins two awards for Recruit
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Customer story

Support research and boost revenue with Recruit
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Blog

Powering UK Life Sciences growth with primary care data
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Products

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Product

Explorer

Explorer delivers self-service business intelligence by enabling you to query, explore and analyse data to optimise healthcare delivery.
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Product

Recruit

For life sciences professionals

Source quality clinical trial candidates at speed with Recruit, embedded in our primary care clinical system.
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Feature

Recruit

For healthcare professionals

Requires EMIS-X

Enabling primary care teams to easily identify and invite patients to take part in clinical trials.
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Feature

Feasibility service

For research and life sciences professionals

Requires Recruit

Supporting smarter site selection for your clinical trial
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Feature

Healthcare record sharing

For research and life sciences professionals

Requires Recruit

Streamlining healthcare record sharing to accelerate clinical trial recruitment
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Feature

Real-world evidence

For research and life sciences professionals

Requires Recruit

Instant, compliant access to UK primary care data to accelerate your research.
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