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Reynolds SA, O'Connor L, McGee A, Kilcoyne AQ, Connolly A, Mockler D, Guinan E, O'Neill L. Recruitment rates and strategies in exercise trials in cancer survivorship: a systematic review. J Cancer Surviv 2024; 18:1233-1242. [PMID: 37022641 PMCID: PMC11324688 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01363-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite clear evidence-based supporting a benefit to exercise on physical and psychological metrics in patients with cancer, recruitment to exercise trials amongst cancer survivors is suboptimal. We explore current recruitment rates, strategies, and common barriers to participation in exercise oncology trials in cancer survivorship. METHODS A systematic review was conducted using a pre-defined search strategy in EMBASE, CINAHL, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The search was performed up to 28/02/2022. Screening of titles and abstracts, full-text review, and data extraction was completed in duplicate. RESULTS Of the 3204 identified studies, 87 papers corresponding to 86 trials were included. Recruitment rates were highly variable with a median rate of 38% (range 0.52-100%). Trials recruiting prostate cancer patients only had the highest median recruitment rate (45.9%) vs trials recruiting colorectal cancer patients only which had the lowest (31.25%). Active recruitment strategies such as direct recruitment via a healthcare professional were associated with higher recruitment rates (rho = 0.201, p = 0.064). Common reasons for non-participation included lack of interest (46.51%, n (number of studies) = 40); distance and transport (45.3%, n = 39); and failure to contact (44.2%, n = 38). CONCLUSIONS Recruitment of cancer survivors to exercise interventions is suboptimal with barriers being predominantly patient-oriented. This paper provides the benchmark for current recruitment rates to exercise oncology trials, providing data for trialists planning future trial design and implementation, optimise future recruitment strategies, and evaluate their own recruitment success against current practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Enhanced recruitment to cancer survivorship exercise trials is necessary in facilitating the publication of definitive exercise guidelines, generalisable to varying cancer cohorts. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020185968.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A Reynolds
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Louise O'Connor
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anna McGee
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anna Quinn Kilcoyne
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Archie Connolly
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Mockler
- John Stearne Library, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emer Guinan
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linda O'Neill
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland.
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Levasseur M, Chaintré-Prieur A, Dubois MF, Maisonneuve C, Filiatrault J, Vassiliadis HM. Strengths, challenges, and strategies for implementing pragmatic multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs): example of the Personalized Citizen Assistance for Social Participation (APIC) trial. Trials 2024; 25:415. [PMID: 38937798 PMCID: PMC11210038 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08248-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are rigorous scientific research designs for evaluating intervention effectiveness. However, implementing RCTs in a real-world context is challenging. To develop strategies to improve its application, it is essential to understand the strengths and challenges of this design. This study thus aimed to explore the strengths, challenges, and strategies for improving the implementation of a pragmatic multicenter, prospective, two-arm RCT evaluating the effects of the Personalized Citizen Assistance for Social Participation (Accompagnement-citoyen Personnalisé d'Intégration Communautaire: APIC; weekly 3-h personalized stimulation sessions given by a trained volunteer over a 12-month period) on older adults' health, social participation, and life satisfaction. METHODS A multiple case study was conducted with 14 participants, comprising one research assistant, seven coordinators, and six managers of six community organizations serving older adults, who implemented the APIC in the context of a RCT. Between 2017 and 2023, qualitative data were extracted from 24 group meetings, seven semi-directed interviews, emails exchanged with the research team, and one follow-up document. RESULTS Aged between 30 and 60 (median ± SIQR: 44.0 ± 6.3), most participants were women from organizations already offering social participation interventions for older adults and working with the public sector. Reported strengths of this RCT were its relevance in assessing an innovative intervention to support healthy aging, and the sharing of common goals, expertise, and strategies with community organizations. Challenges included difficulties recruiting older adults, resistance to potential control group assignments, design complexity, and efforts to mobilize and engage volunteers. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and health measures exacerbated challenges related to recruiting older adults and mobilizing volunteers and complicated delivery of the intervention. The strategies that mostly overcame difficulties in recruiting older adults were reducing sample size, simplifying recruitment procedures, emphasizing the health follow-up, extending partnerships, and recognizing and supporting volunteers better. Because of the lockdown and physical distancing measures, the intervention was also adapted for remote delivery, including via telephone or videoconferencing. CONCLUSION Knowledge of the strengths and challenges of pragmatic RCTs can contribute to the development of strategies to facilitate implementation studies and better evaluate health and social participation interventions delivered under real-life conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03161860; Pre-results. Registered on May 22, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Levasseur
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada.
- Research Centre On Aging, Eastern Townships Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre - Sherbrooke University Hospital Centre, Sherbrooke, Canada.
| | - Agathe Chaintré-Prieur
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Research Centre On Aging, Eastern Townships Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre - Sherbrooke University Hospital Centre, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Marie-France Dubois
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Research Centre On Aging, Eastern Townships Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre - Sherbrooke University Hospital Centre, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Catherine Maisonneuve
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Johanne Filiatrault
- Research Centre, University Institute of Geriatrics of Montreal (CRIUGM), Montréal, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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Popa M, Young B, Rousseau N, Cherry MG, Jenkins I, Cloke J, Pettitt A, Jenkinson MD, Ahmed S, Pemberton AR, Sherratt FC. Consultations about randomised controlled trials are shorter and less in-depth for socioeconomically disadvantaged patients compared to socioeconomically advantaged patients: qualitative analysis across three trials. Trials 2024; 25:382. [PMID: 38872208 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08216-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds are underserved in randomised controlled trials, yet they experience a much greater burden of disease compared with patients from socioeconomically advantaged areas. It is crucial to make trials more inclusive to ensure that treatments and interventions are safe and effective in real-world contexts. Improving how information about trials is verbally communicated is an unexplored strategy to make trials more inclusive. This study examined how trials are communicated verbally, comparing consultations involving patients from the most and least socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. METHODS Secondary qualitative analysis of 55 trial consultation transcripts from 41 patients, sampled from 3 qualitative studies embedded in their respective UK multi-site, cancer-related randomised controlled trials. Patients living in the most and least socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, defined using English Indices of Multiple Deprivation decile scores, were purposively sampled. Analysis was largely thematic and drew on the constant comparison method. RESULTS Recruiters communicated clinical uncertainty in a similar way for patients living in different socioeconomic areas. Consultations with disadvantaged patients were, on average, half the duration of those with advantaged patients, and tended to involve recruiters providing less in-depth explanations of trial concepts, used phrasing that softened trial arm risks, and described trial processes (e.g. randomisation) using informal or metaphorical phrasing. Disadvantaged and advantaged patients differed in the concerns they expressed; disadvantaged patients voiced fewer concerns and asked fewer questions but were also less likely to be invited to do so by recruiters. CONCLUSION Interactions about trials unfolded in different ways between patients living in different socioeconomic areas, likely due to both patient- and recruiter-related factors. We present considerations for recruiters when discussing trials with patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, aimed at enhancing trial communication. Future research should examine disadvantaged patients' and recruiters' experiences of verbal trial communication to inform guidance that addresses the needs and preferences of underserved groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Popa
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bridget Young
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nikki Rousseau
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Mary G Cherry
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Isobel Jenkins
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jane Cloke
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew Pettitt
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Michael D Jenkinson
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Saiqa Ahmed
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Allan R Pemberton
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Frances C Sherratt
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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Baysari MT, Van Dort BA, Stanceski K, Hargreaves A, Zheng WY, Moran M, Day RO, Li L, Westbrook J, Hilmer SN. Qualitative study of challenges with recruitment of hospitals into a cluster controlled trial of clinical decision support in Australia. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080610. [PMID: 38479736 PMCID: PMC10936458 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify barriers to hospital participation in controlled cluster trials of clinical decision support (CDS) and potential strategies for addressing barriers. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive design comprising semistructured interviews. SETTING Five hospitals in New South Wales and one hospital in Queensland, Australia. PARTICIPANTS Senior hospital staff, including department directors, chief information officers and those working in health informatics teams. RESULTS 20 senior hospital staff took part. Barriers to hospital-level recruitment primarily related to perceptions of risk associated with not implementing CDS as a control site. Perceived risks included reductions in patient safety, reputational risk and increased likelihood that benefits would not be achieved following electronic medical record (EMR) implementation without CDS alerts in place. Senior staff recommended clear communication of trial information to all relevant stakeholders as a key strategy for boosting hospital-level participation in trials. CONCLUSION Hospital participation in controlled cluster trials of CDS is hindered by perceptions that adopting an EMR without CDS is risky for both patients and organisations. The improvements in safety expected to follow CDS implementation makes it challenging and counterintuitive for hospitals to implement EMR without incorporating CDS alerts for the purposes of a research trial. To counteract these barriers, clear communication regarding the evidence base and rationale for a controlled trial is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa T Baysari
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bethany Annemarie Van Dort
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kristian Stanceski
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Wu Yi Zheng
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Maria Moran
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard O Day
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ling Li
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Johanna Westbrook
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah N Hilmer
- Clinical Pharmacology and Aged Care, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
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Vogel JS, Bruins J, Swart M, Liemburg E, van der Gaag M, Castelein S. Effects of an eating club for people with a psychotic disorder on personal recovery: Results of a randomized controlled trial. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2023; 81:101871. [PMID: 37315478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Many people with a psychotic disorder are coping with severe psychosocial limitations related to their illness. The current randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigates the effects of an eating club intervention (HospitalitY (HY)) aimed to improve personal and societal recovery. METHODS In 15 biweekly sessions participants received individual home-based skill training and guided peer support sessions in groups of three participants from a trained nurse. A multi-center RCT was conducted (intended sample size: n = 84; n = 7 per block) in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum receiving community treatment. HospitalitY was compared to a Waiting List Control (WLC) condition at three time points (baseline, end-of-treatment (8 months) and follow-up (12 months)) using personal recovery as primary outcome and loneliness, social support, self-stigma, self-esteem, social skills, (social) functioning, independency competence, and psychopathology as secondary outcomes. Outcomes were evaluated with a mixed modeling statistical procedure. RESULTS The HY-intervention had no significant effects on personal recovery or secondary outcomes. More attendance was associated with higher scores on social functioning. LIMITATIONS With N = 43 participants included, power was insufficient. Seven HY-groups were started, from which three discontinued before the sixth meeting, one HY group stopped due the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Despite a promising pilot study on feasibility, the current RCT did not show any effects of the HY intervention. A mixed qualitative-quantitative research methods might be more appropriate for researching the HospitalitY-intervention to investigate what social and cognitive processes are at play in this peer guided social intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelle Sjoerd Vogel
- Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Lentis Research, Hereweg 80, 9725 AG, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry, Rob Giel Research Center, P.O. 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Jojanneke Bruins
- Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Lentis Research, Hereweg 80, 9725 AG, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry, Rob Giel Research Center, P.O. 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marte Swart
- Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Flexible Assertive Community Treatment Groningen, Hereweg 80, 9725 AG, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Edith Liemburg
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry, Rob Giel Research Center, P.O. 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mark van der Gaag
- VU University Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Psychology, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BR, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Mental Health Research Institute, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BR, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychosis Research, Zoutkeetsingel 40, 2512 HN, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Stynke Castelein
- Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Lentis Research, Hereweg 80, 9725 AG, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry, Rob Giel Research Center, P.O. 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Ninomiya MM, Hiemstra J, Nicholson E, Isaac KV. Methods of Recruitment for Surgical and Perioperative Randomized Controlled Trials: A Rapid Review. World J Surg 2023; 47:2659-2667. [PMID: 37589794 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-023-07124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Due to the complex nature of surgical randomized controlled trials (RCTs), reaching target recruitment can be challenging. The primary objective was to report on characteristics of successful pilot surgical and perioperative RCTs and the methodological strategies implemented to optimize recruitment. The secondary objective was to provide recommendations for successful recruitment strategies for future surgical RCTs. Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and Web of Science (via Ovid) databases were searched from 2012 to 2022. This review included surgical and perioperative pilot studies that met their recruitment targets. Study and recruitment characteristics were summarized, and potential relationships between study design and recruitment rate were assessed. Optimized recruitment strategies were extracted when reported. Of 4156 total articles identified, 255 underwent full-text screening, and 52 articles were included. Of the included pilot studies, 21% (n = 11) did not indicate a target sample size or recruitment rate. Recruitment methods were minimally reported in pilot studies for perioperative or surgical RCTs. Strategies to optimize recruitment included internal iterative evaluations of the recorded recruitment appointments and staged introduction of the study. Recruitment rate was not associated with invasiveness of intervention or burden of participation. Patient involvement is absent from current reports on methodological design and offers valuable opportunity to optimize recruitment. Recruitment strategies in perioperative and surgical RCTs can be optimized with iterative qualitative evaluation of the recruitment methods with input from the interdisciplinary research team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Morton Ninomiya
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Jenna Hiemstra
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Emma Nicholson
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, 2221 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Kathryn V Isaac
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, 2221 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
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Makaram NS, Simpson AHRW. Explanatory and pragmatic trials in orthopaedics - Have we done the right studies? Injury 2023; 54 Suppl 5:110905. [PMID: 37400326 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2023.110905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent decades have seen marked advances in the quality of clinical orthopaedic trauma research, and with this has come a rise in the number of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) being conducted in orthopaedic trauma. These trials have been largely valuable in driving evidence-based management of injuries which previously had clinical equipoise. However, though RCTs are traditionally seen as the 'gold standard' of high-quality research, this research method is comprised primarily of two entities, explanatory and pragmatic designs, each with its own strengths and limitations. Most orthopaedic trials lie within a continuum between these designs, with varying degrees of both pragmatic and explanatory features. In this narrative review we provide a summary of the nuances within orthopaedic trial design, the advantages and limitations of such designs, and suggest tools which may aid clinicians in the appropriate selection and evaluation of trial designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Makaram
- Specialty Registrar (StR) in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Edinburgh Orthopaedics, The University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SU, United Kingdom.
| | - A Hamish R W Simpson
- Professor of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Edinburgh Orthopaedics, The University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SU, United Kingdom
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Idnay B, Fang Y, Butler A, Moran J, Li Z, Lee J, Ta C, Liu C, Yuan C, Chen H, Stanley E, Hripcsak G, Larson E, Marder K, Chung W, Ruotolo B, Weng C. Uncovering key clinical trial features influencing recruitment. J Clin Transl Sci 2023; 7:e199. [PMID: 37830010 PMCID: PMC10565197 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2023.623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Randomized clinical trials (RCT) are the foundation for medical advances, but participant recruitment remains a persistent barrier to their success. This retrospective data analysis aims to (1) identify clinical trial features associated with successful participant recruitment measured by accrual percentage and (2) compare the characteristics of the RCTs by assessing the most and least successful recruitment, which are indicated by varying thresholds of accrual percentage such as ≥ 90% vs ≤ 10%, ≥ 80% vs ≤ 20%, and ≥ 70% vs ≤ 30%. Methods Data from the internal research registry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Aggregated Analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov were collected for 393 randomized interventional treatment studies closed to further enrollment. We compared two regularized linear regression and six tree-based machine learning models for accrual percentage (i.e., reported accrual to date divided by the target accrual) prediction. The outperforming model and Tree SHapley Additive exPlanations were used for feature importance analysis for participant recruitment. The identified features were compared between the two subgroups. Results CatBoost regressor outperformed the others. Key features positively associated with recruitment success, as measured by accrual percentage, include government funding and compensation. Meanwhile, cancer research and non-conventional recruitment methods (e.g., websites) are negatively associated with recruitment success. Statistically significant subgroup differences (corrected p-value < .05) were found in 15 of the top 30 most important features. Conclusion This multi-source retrospective study highlighted key features influencing RCT participant recruitment, offering actionable steps for improvement, including flexible recruitment infrastructure and appropriate participant compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betina Idnay
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yilu Fang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alex Butler
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joyce Moran
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ziran Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Junghwan Lee
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Casey Ta
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cong Liu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chi Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Huanyao Chen
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward Stanley
- Compliance Applications, Information Technology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Hripcsak
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elaine Larson
- School of Nursing, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karen Marder
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wendy Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brenda Ruotolo
- Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Research, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chunhua Weng
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Elliott D, Ochieng CA, Zahra J, McNair AG, Main BG, Skilton A, Blencowe NS, Cousins S, Paramasivan S, Hoffmann C, Donovan JL, Blazeby JM. What Are Patients Told About Innovative Surgical Procedures? A Qualitative Synthesis of 7 Case Studies in the United Kingdom. Ann Surg 2023; 278:e482-e490. [PMID: 36177849 PMCID: PMC10414150 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate how information about innovative surgical procedures is communicated to patients. BACKGROUND Despite the national and international guidance that patients should be informed whether a procedure is innovative and has uncertain outcomes, little is known about current practice. METHODS This qualitative study followed 7 "case studies" of surgical innovation in hospitals across the United Kingdom. Preoperative interviews were conducted with clinician innovators (n=9), preoperative real-time consultations between clinicians and patients were audio-recorded (n=37). Patients were interviewed postoperatively (n=30). Data were synthesized using thematic analytical methods. RESULTS Interviews with clinicians demonstrated strong intentions to inform patients about the innovative nature of the procedure in a neutral manner, although tensions between fully informing patients and not distressing them were raised. In the consultations, only a minority of clinicians actually made explicit statements about, (1) the procedure being innovative, (2) their limited clinical experience with it, (3) the paucity of evidence, and (4) uncertainty/unknown outcomes. Discussions about risks were generalized and often did not relate to the innovative component. Instead, all clinicians optimistically presented potential benefits and many disclosed their own positive beliefs. Postoperative patient interviews revealed that many believed that the procedure was more established than it was and were unaware of the unknown risks. CONCLUSIONS There were contradictions between clinicians' intentions to inform patients about the uncertain outcomes of innovative and their actual discussions with patients. There is a need for communication interventions and training to support clinicians to provide transparent data and shared decision-making for innovative procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Elliott
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Cynthia A. Ochieng
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Jesmond Zahra
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Angus G.K. McNair
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, North Bristol NHS Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Barry G. Main
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University Hospitals Bristol, Weston NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Anni Skilton
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Natalie S. Blencowe
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University Hospitals Bristol, Weston NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Sian Cousins
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Sangeetha Paramasivan
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Christin Hoffmann
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Jenny L. Donovan
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | - Jane M. Blazeby
- Centre for Surgical Research, National Institute for Health Research Bristol and Weston Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
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10
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Phillips M, İnce B, Webb H, Dalton B, McCombie C, Irish M, Mercado D, Peachey G, Zenasni Z, Himmerich H, Robinson P, Arcelus J, Byford S, Treasure J, Landau S, Lawrence V, Schmidt U. Autopsy of a failed trial part 1: A qualitative investigation of clinician's views on and experiences of the implementation of the DAISIES trial in UK-based intensive eating disorder services. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2023; 31:489-504. [PMID: 36952308 PMCID: PMC10946575 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The DAISIES trial, comparing inpatient and stepped-care day patient treatment for adults with severe anorexia nervosa was prematurely terminated in March 2022 due to poor recruitment. This qualitative study seeks to understand the difficulties faced during the trial by investigating stakeholders' views on and experiences of its implementation. METHOD Semi-structured interview and focus group transcripts, and trial management and oversight group meeting minutes from May 2020-June 2022 were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants were 47 clinicians and co-investigators involved with the DAISIES trial. The Non-Adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework was applied to the interpretive themes to classify barriers and facilitators to implementation. RESULTS Five themes were identified: incompatible participation interests; changing standard practice; concerns around clinical management; systemic capacity and capability issues; and Covid-19 disrupting implementation. Applying the NASSS framework indicated the greatest implementation challenges to arise with the adopters (e.g. patients, clinicians), the organisational systems (e.g. service capacity), and the wider socio-political context (e.g. Covid-19 closing services). CONCLUSIONS Our findings emphasise the top-down impact of systemic-level research implementation challenges. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic accentuated pre-existing organisational barriers to trial implementation within intensive eating disorder services, further limiting the capacity for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Phillips
- Section of Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Başak İnce
- Section of Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Hannah Webb
- Section of Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Bethan Dalton
- Section of Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Catherine McCombie
- Department of Health Service and Population ResearchInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Madeleine Irish
- Section of Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Daniela Mercado
- Section of Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Gemma Peachey
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustMaudsley HospitalLondonUK
| | - Zohra Zenasni
- Department of Biostatistics and Health InformaticsInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Hubertus Himmerich
- Section of Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustMaudsley HospitalLondonUK
| | - Paul Robinson
- Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Jon Arcelus
- Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of NottinghamJubilee CampusNottinghamUK
| | - Sarah Byford
- Department of Health Service and Population ResearchInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Janet Treasure
- Section of Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustMaudsley HospitalLondonUK
| | - Sabine Landau
- Department of Biostatistics and Health InformaticsInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Vanessa Lawrence
- Department of Health Service and Population ResearchInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Ulrike Schmidt
- Section of Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychological MedicineInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustMaudsley HospitalLondonUK
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11
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Clapp JT, Dinh C, Hsu M, Neuman MD. Clinical reasoning in pragmatic trial randomization: a qualitative interview study. Trials 2023; 24:431. [PMID: 37365614 PMCID: PMC10294416 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07445-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pragmatic trials, because they study widely used treatments in settings of routine practice, require intensive participation from clinicians who determine whether patients can be enrolled. Clinicians are often conflicted between their therapeutic obligation to patients and their willingness to enroll them in trials in which treatments are randomly determined and thus potentially suboptimal. Refusal to enroll eligible patients can hinder trial completion and damage generalizability. In order to help evaluate and mitigate clinician refusal, this qualitative study examined how clinicians reason about whether to randomize eligible patients. METHODS We performed interviews with 29 anesthesiologists who participated in REGAIN, a multicenter pragmatic randomized trial comparing spinal and general anesthesia in hip fracture. Interviews included a chart-stimulated section in which physicians described their reasoning pertaining to specific eligible patients as well as a general semi-structured section about their views on clinical research. Guided by a constructivist grounded theory approach, we analyzed data via coding, synthesized thematic patterns using focused coding, and developed an explanation using abduction. RESULTS Anesthesiologists perceived their main clinical function as preventing peri- and intraoperative complications. In some cases, they used prototype-based reasoning to determine whether patients with contraindications should be randomized; in others, they used probabilistic reasoning. These modes of reasoning involved different types of uncertainty. In contrast, anesthesiologists expressed confidence about anesthetic options when they accepted patients for randomization. Anesthesiologists saw themselves as having a fiduciary responsibility to patients and thus did not hesitate to communicate their inclinations, even when this complicated trial recruitment. Nevertheless, they voiced strong support for clinical research, stating that their involvement was mainly hindered by production pressure and workflow disruptions. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that prominent ways of assessing clinician decisions about trial randomization are based on questionable assumptions about clinical reasoning. Close examination of routine clinical practice, attuned to the features of clinical reasoning we reveal here, will help both in evaluating clinicians' enrollment determinations in specific trials and in anticipating and responding to them. TRIAL REGISTRATION Regional Versus General Anesthesia for Promoting Independence After Hip Fracture (REGAIN). CLINICALTRIALS gov NCT02507505. Prospectively registered on July 24, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T Clapp
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Blockley Hall, 3rd floor, 423 Guardian Dr, PA, 19104, Philadelphia, USA.
- Center for Perioperative Outcomes Research and Transformation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | | | - Monica Hsu
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Mark D Neuman
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Blockley Hall, 3rd floor, 423 Guardian Dr, PA, 19104, Philadelphia, USA
- Center for Perioperative Outcomes Research and Transformation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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12
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Riad AM, Cambridge WA, Henshall D, McAdam H, Drake TM, Fairfield CJ, Knight SR, Sgrò A, Shaw C, Glasbey JC, Potter MA, Harrison EM, McLean KA. Educational impact and recommendations from implementation of student-led clinical trial recruitment: a mixed-methods study. Postgrad Med J 2023; 99:484-491. [PMID: 37294723 DOI: 10.1136/pmj-2022-142122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Medical students have an essential role in medical research, yet often lack opportunities for involvement within randomised trials. This study aimed to understand the educational impact of clinical trial recruitment for medical students. Tracking wound infection with smartphone technology (TWIST) was a randomised controlled trial that included adult patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery across two university teaching hospitals. All recruiters underwent prerecruitment training based on 'Generating Student Recruiters for Randomised Trials' principles, and completed prerecruitment and postrecruitment surveys. Respondent agreement with statements were assessed using 5-point Likert scales (from 1 ('strongly disagree') to 5 ('strongly agree')). Quantitative data were analysed using paired t-tests to compare differences pre-involvement and post-involvement. Thematic content analysis was performed on free-text data to generate recommendations for future student research involvement. Of 492 patients recruited to TWIST between 26 July 2016 and 4 March 2020, 86.0% (n=423) were recruited by medical students. Following introduction of student co-investigators (n=31), the overall monthly recruitment rate tripled (4.8-15.7 patients). 96.8% of recruiters (n=30/31) completed both surveys, and all respondents reported significant improvement in clinical and academic competencies. Three higher-level thematic domains emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) engagement, (2) preparation and (3) ongoing support. Student recruitment in clinical trials is feasible and accelerates recruitment to clinical trials. Students demonstrated novel clinical research competencies and increased their likelihood of future involvement. Adequate training, support and selection of suitable trials are essential for future student involvement in randomised trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya M Riad
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - David Henshall
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Heather McAdam
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Thomas M Drake
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cameron J Fairfield
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Center for Medical Informatics, The University of Edinburgh Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stephen R Knight
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Center for Medical Informatics, The University of Edinburgh Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alessandro Sgrò
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Catherine Shaw
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Center for Medical Informatics, The University of Edinburgh Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Edinburgh, UK
| | - James C Glasbey
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery, University of Birmingham Institute of Translational Medicine, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mark A Potter
- Colorectal Unit, University of Edinburgh Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ewen M Harrison
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Center for Medical Informatics, The University of Edinburgh Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kenneth A McLean
- Department of Clinical Surgery, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Center for Medical Informatics, The University of Edinburgh Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Edinburgh, UK
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13
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Vindrola-Padros C, Froghi F, Gopalan V, Maruthan S, Filipe H, McNeil M, Garcia SM, Davidson B. The integration of rapid qualitative research in clinical trials: reflections from the ward-based goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) in acute pancreatitis feasibility trial. Trials 2023; 24:227. [PMID: 36964583 PMCID: PMC10039605 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07191-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been an increase in the integration of qualitative studies in randomised controlled trials. The purpose of this article is to reflect on our experience of carrying out a rapid qualitative study during a feasibility trial of goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) in patients with acute pancreatitis, including our sharing of emerging findings and the use of these findings by the trial team. METHODS The study was designed as a rapid feedback evaluation and combined interviews with staff and patients who took part in the trial. FINDINGS The rapid qualitative study pointed to common problems in trial recruitment among multiple sites, where lack of engagement of clinical teams across sites might impact negatively on patient recruitment. The article describes how the use of rapid feedback loops can be used as the trial is ongoing to inform changes in implementation. It also covers the potential challenges of working rapidly and collaborative with the trial team. CONCLUSIONS Rapid feedback evaluations can be used to generate findings across all stages of trial design and delivery. Additional research is required to explore the implementation of this research design in other settings and trial designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Vindrola-Padros
- Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London, 3Rd Floor Charles Bell House, 43-45 Foley Street, London, W1W 7TY, UK.
| | - Farid Froghi
- Division of Surgery & Interventional Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Brian Davidson
- Division of Surgery & Interventional Sciences, University College London, London, UK
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14
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Knowlson C, Tharmanathan P, Arundel C, James S, Flett L, Gascoyne S, Welch C, Warwick D, Dias J. Can learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic improve trial conduct post-pandemic? A case study of strategies used by the DISC trial. RESEARCH METHODS IN MEDICINE & HEALTH SCIENCES 2023; 4:50-60. [PMID: 38603296 PMCID: PMC9500425 DOI: 10.1177/26320843221128296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background RCTs often face issues such as slow recruitment, poor intervention adherence and high attrition, however the 2020/2021 COVID-19 pandemic intensified these challenges. Strategies employed by the DISC trial to overcome pandemic-related barriers to recruitment, treatment delivery and retention may be useful to help overcome routine problems. Methods A structured survey and teleconference with sites was undertaken. Key performance indicators in relation to recruitment, treatment delivery and retention were compared descriptively before and after the pandemic started. This was situated also in relation to qualitative opinions of research staff. Results Prior to the pandemic, retention was 93.6%. Increased support from the central trial management team and remote data collection methods kept retention rates high at 81.2% in the first 6 months of the pandemic, rising to 89.8% in the subsequent 6 months. Advertising the study to patients resulted in 12.8 patients/month enquiring about participation, however only six were referred to recruiting sites. Sites reported increased support from junior doctors resolved research nurse capacity issues. One site avoided long delays by using theatre space in a private hospital. Conclusions Recruitment post-pandemic could be improved by identification of barriers, increased support from junior doctors through the NIHR associate PI scheme and advertising. Remote back-up options for data collection can keep retention high while reducing patient and site burden. To future proof studies against similar disruptions and provide more flexibility for participants, we recommend that RCTs have a back-up option of remote recruitment, a back-up location for surgeries and flexible approaches to collecting data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sophie James
- Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit, York, UK
| | - Lydia Flett
- Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit, York, UK
| | | | - Charlie Welch
- Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit, York, UK
| | | | - Joseph Dias
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, York, UK
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15
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"Nothing to lose and the possibility of gaining": a qualitative study on the feasibility and acceptability of registry-based randomised controlled trials among cancer patients and clinicians. Trials 2023; 24:92. [PMID: 36747274 PMCID: PMC9902247 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the "gold standard" for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions in clinical research. However, conventional RCTs are typically complex, expensive, and have narrow eligibility criteria, which limits generalisability. Registry-based randomised controlled trials (RRCTs) are an alternative approach that integrates the internal validity of an RCT with the external validity of a clinical registry by recruiting real-world patients and leveraging an existing registry platform for data collection. As RRCT is a novel research design, there has been limited research on the feasibility and acceptability of RRCTs from the patients' and trial team's perspectives. This study aims to explore patients', clinicians', and study coordinators' perspectives towards participation in and conduct of oncology RRCTs in Australia. METHODS Thirty-seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 cancer patients, 15 clinicians, and 7 study coordinators. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Three overarching themes were identified: (1) enablers and barriers to recruitment and enrolment of patients in RRCTs, (2) experiences of patients participating in RRCTs, and (3) recommendations for the implementation of future RRCTs. For patients, altruism and "trust in the clinician" were key reasons to participate in a RRCT. For clinicians and clinical trial coordinators, the RRCT study design was perceived as "simple and straightforward" but "less exciting" than RCTs. Competition from commercially sponsored RCTs poses challenges for investigator-led RRCTs recruitment, particularly if eligible patient numbers are low. There were limited impacts on patients' treatment experiences and clinicians' clinical workflow given that the RRCTs explored different standards of care. Recommendations to improve the enrolment of patients in RRCTs included generating greater buy-in from clinicians by increasing awareness of RRCTs via education initiatives and broader promotion of the "selling point" of RRCTs and providing monetary compensation to hospitals for enrolling patients. CONCLUSIONS Whilst patients, clinicians, and study coordinators were generally supportive of RRCTs, several barriers to effective RRCT implementation in oncology were identified. Developing strategies to increase acceptance of the methodology by clinicians will help enhance the uptake of RRCTs in Australia and internationally.
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16
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Peerally MF, Jackson C, Bhandari P, Ragunath K, Barr H, Stokes C, Haidry R, Lovat LB, Smart H, De Caestecker J. Factors influencing participation in randomised clinical trials among patients with early Barrett's neoplasia: a multicentre interview study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e064117. [PMID: 36609332 PMCID: PMC9827249 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Strong recruitment and retention into randomised controlled trials involving invasive therapies is a matter of priority to ensure better achievement of trial aims. The BRIDE (Barrett's Randomised Intervention for Dysplasia by Endoscopy) Study investigated the feasibility of undertaking a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing argon plasma coagulation and radiofrequency ablation, following endoscopic resection, for the management of early Barrett's neoplasia. This paper aims to identify factors influencing patients' participation in the BRIDE Study and determine their views regarding acceptability of a potential future trial comparing surgery with endotherapy. DESIGN A semistructured telephone interview study was performed, including both patients who accepted and declined to participate in the BRIDE trial. Interview data were analysed using the constant comparison approach to identify recurring themes. SETTING Interview participants were recruited from across six UK tertiary centres where the BRIDE trial was conducted. PARTICIPANTS We interviewed 18 participants, including 11 participants in the BRIDE trial and 7 who declined. RESULTS Four themes were identified centred around interviewees' decision to accept or decline participation in the BRIDE trial and a potential future trial comparing endotherapy with surgery: (1) influence of the recruitment process and participant-recruiter relationship; (2) participants' views of the design and aim of the study; (3) conditional altruism as a determining factor and (4) participants' perceptions of surgical risks versus less invasive treatments. CONCLUSION We identified four main influences to optimising recruitment and retention to a randomised controlled trial comparing endotherapies in patients with early Barrett's-related neoplasia. These findings highlight the importance of qualitative research to inform the design of larger randomised controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Farhad Peerally
- SAPPHIRE, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Kettering General Hospital, Kettering, UK
| | - Clare Jackson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Krish Ragunath
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Medical School, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Hugh Barr
- Department of Surgery, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK
| | - Clive Stokes
- Chestnut House, Gloucester Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK
| | - Rehan Haidry
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Laurence B Lovat
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Howard Smart
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - John De Caestecker
- Digestive Diseases Centre, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
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Enoch J, Ghulakhszian A, Sekhon M, Crabb DP, Taylor DJ, Dinah C. Towards a Therapy for Geographic Atrophy: A Patient's Experience. Patient Prefer Adherence 2023; 17:299-310. [PMID: 36756537 PMCID: PMC9901472 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s386662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Geographic atrophy (GA) is the advanced form of the non-neovascular (dry) type of age-related macular degeneration. Presently, GA cannot be treated. However, new therapies administered by intravitreal injection are in late-stage development. These can slow down, but do not stop or reverse, GA progression. The acceptability of these emerging therapies to people with GA is currently unknown. The present case study explores the perspectives of a person living with GA who took part in the terminated Phase 3 clinical trial of Lampalizumab, a candidate intravitreal treatment for GA. We explored this patient's perspective on the retrospective acceptability of regular Lampalizumab injections, and the prospective acceptability of future intravitreal therapies for GA. PATIENTS AND METHODS A 78-year-old woman living in the UK was recruited as part of a mixed-methods pilot study and interviewed by telephone, regarding: her experience of the Lampalizumab trial injections; and her thoughts regarding emerging intravitreal therapies for GA. The Framework Method was used for initial inductive analysis of the interview transcript. Subsequently, deductive analysis was undertaken, informed by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA). RESULTS For this participant, intravitreal injections in the Lampalizumab trial were acceptable, although streamlining processes within the clinic would have improved the patient experience. Regarding prospective acceptability of new intravitreal therapies, the participant considered a delay in progression of GA a valuable goal. Potential discomfort, anxiety and inconvenience associated with regular intravitreal injections would be acceptable in the context of preserving her vision for as long as possible. CONCLUSION Analysis of one participant's experience demonstrates the value of exploring GA patients' unique views on the acceptability of new intravitreal treatments. Larger prospective studies will provide more insight that help to optimise treatment design and delivery, thereby maximising likelihood of adherence and persistence when these therapies eventually arrive in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Enoch
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Arevik Ghulakhszian
- Ophthalmology Department, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Central Middlesex Hospital, London, UK
| | - Mandeep Sekhon
- Centre for Applied Health and Social Care Research, Kingston and St George’s, University of London, London, UK
| | - David P Crabb
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Deanna J Taylor
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Christiana Dinah
- Ophthalmology Department, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Central Middlesex Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
- Correspondence: Christiana Dinah, Ophthalmology Department, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Central Middlesex Hospital, Acton Lane, London, NW10 7NS, UK, Tel +44 208 453 2253, Email
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18
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Millar MM, Taft T, Weir CR. Clinical trial recruitment in primary care: exploratory factor analysis of a questionnaire to measure barriers and facilitators to primary care providers' involvement. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2022; 23:311. [PMID: 36463123 PMCID: PMC9719201 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01898-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recruitment of sufficient participants for clinical trials remains challenging. Primary care is an important avenue for patient recruitment but is underutilized. We developed and pilot tested a questionnaire to measure relevant barriers and facilitators to primary care providers' involvement in recruiting patients for clinical trials. METHODS Prior research informed the development of the questionnaire. The initial instrument was revised using feedback obtained from cognitive interviews. We invited all primary care providers practicing within the University of Utah Health system to complete the revised questionnaire. We used a mixed-mode design to collect paper responses via in-person recruitment and email contacts to collect responses online. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and multivariable regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS Sixty-seven primary care providers participated in the survey. Exploratory factor analysis suggested retaining five factors, representing the importance of clinical trial recruitment in providers' professional identity, clinic-level interventions to facilitate referral, patient-related barriers, concerns about patient health management, and knowledge gaps. The five factors exhibited good or high internal consistency reliability. Professional identity and clinic-level intervention factors were significant predictors of providers' intention to participate in clinical trial recruitment activities. CONCLUSIONS Results of this exploratory analysis provide preliminary evidence of the internal structure, internal consistency reliability, and predictive validity of the questionnaire to measure factors relevant to primary care providers' involvement in clinical trial recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan M Millar
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Teresa Taft
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Charlene R Weir
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Lim E, Harris RA, McKeon HE, Batchelor TJ, Dunning J, Shackcloth M, Anikin V, Naidu B, Belcher E, Loubani M, Zamvar V, Dabner L, Brush T, Stokes EA, Wordsworth S, Paramasivan S, Realpe A, Elliott D, Blazeby J, Rogers CA. Impact of video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy versus open lobectomy for lung cancer on recovery assessed using self-reported physical function: VIOLET RCT. Health Technol Assess 2022; 26:1-162. [PMID: 36524582 PMCID: PMC9791462 DOI: 10.3310/thbq1793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Surgery remains the main method of managing early-stage disease. Minimal-access video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery results in less tissue trauma than open surgery; however, it is not known if it improves patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy with open surgery for the treatment of lung cancer. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A multicentre, superiority, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial with blinding of participants (until hospital discharge) and outcome assessors conducted in nine NHS hospitals. Adults referred for lung resection for known or suspected lung cancer, with disease suitable for both surgeries, were eligible. Participants were followed up for 1 year. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomised 1 : 1 to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy or open surgery. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery used one to four keyhole incisions without rib spreading. Open surgery used a single incision with rib spreading, with or without rib resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was self-reported physical function (using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30) at 5 weeks. Secondary outcomes included upstaging to pathologic node stage 2 disease, time from surgery to hospital discharge, pain in the first 2 days, prolonged pain requiring analgesia at > 5 weeks, adverse health events, uptake of adjuvant treatment, overall and disease-free survival, quality of life (Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30, Quality of Life Questionnaire Lung Cancer 13 and EQ-5D) at 2 and 5 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months, and cost-effectiveness. RESULTS A total of 503 patients were randomised between July 2015 and February 2019 (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, n = 247; open surgery, n = 256). One participant withdrew before surgery. The mean age of patients was 69 years; 249 (49.5%) patients were men and 242 (48.1%) did not have a confirmed diagnosis. Lobectomy was performed in 453 of 502 (90.2%) participants and complete resection was achieved in 429 of 439 (97.7%) participants. Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 physical function was better in the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group than in the open-surgery group at 5 weeks (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, n = 247; open surgery, n = 255; mean difference 4.65, 95% confidence interval 1.69 to 7.61; p = 0.0089). Upstaging from clinical node stage 0 to pathologic node stage 1 and from clinical node stage 0 or 1 to pathologic node stage 2 was similar (p ≥ 0.50). Pain scores were similar on day 1, but lower in the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group on day 2 (mean difference -0.54, 95% confidence interval -0.99 to -0.09; p = 0.018). Analgesic consumption was 10% lower (95% CI -20% to 1%) and the median hospital stay was less (4 vs. 5 days, hazard ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.09, 1.65; p = 0.006) in the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group than in the open-surgery group. Prolonged pain was also less (relative risk 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.72 to 0.94; p = 0.003). Time to uptake of adjuvant treatment, overall survival and progression-free survival were similar (p ≥ 0.28). Fewer participants in the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group than in the open-surgery group experienced complications before and after discharge from hospital (relative risk 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.66 to 0.84; p < 0.001 and relative risk 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.66 to 1.00; p = 0.053, respectively). Quality of life to 1 year was better across several domains in the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group than in the open-surgery group. The probability that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year is 1. LIMITATIONS Ethnic minorities were under-represented compared with the UK population (< 5%), but the cohort reflected the lung cancer population. CONCLUSIONS Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy was associated with less pain, fewer complications and better quality of life without any compromise to oncologic outcome. Use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is highly likely to be cost-effective for the NHS. FUTURE WORK Evaluation of the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with robotic assistance, which is being offered in many hospitals. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered as ISRCTN13472721. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research ( NIHR ) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 26, No. 48. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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20
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Armitage S, Rapley T, Pennington L, McAnuff J, McColl E, Duff C, Brooks R, Kolehmainen N. Advancing cluster randomised trials in children’s therapy: a survey of the acceptability of trial behaviours to therapists and parents. Trials 2022; 23:958. [DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06872-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Randomised controlled trials of non-pharmacological interventions in children’s therapy are rare. This is, in part, due to the challenges of the acceptability of common trial designs to therapists and service users. This study investigated the acceptability of participation in cluster randomised controlled trials to therapists and service users.
Methods
A national electronic survey of UK occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, service managers, and parents of children who use their services. Participants were recruited by NHS Trusts sharing a link to an online questionnaire with children’s therapists in their Trust and with parents via Trust social media channels. National professional and parent networks also recruited to the survey. We aimed for a sample size of 325 therapists, 30 service managers, and 60 parents. Trial participation was operationalised as three behaviours undertaken by both therapists and parents: agreeing to take part in a trial, discussing a trial, and sharing information with a research team. Acceptability of the behaviours was measured using an online questionnaire based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability constructs: affective attitude, self-efficacy, and burden. The general acceptability of trials was measured using the acceptability constructs of intervention coherence and perceived effectiveness. Data were collected from June to September 2020. Numerical data were analysed using descriptive statistics and textual data by descriptive summary.
Results
A total of 345 survey responses were recorded. Following exclusions, 249 therapists and 40 parents provided data which was 69.6% (289/415) of the target sample size. It was not possible to track the number of people invited to take the survey nor those who viewed, but did not complete, the online questionnaire for calculation of response rates. A completion rate (participants who completed the last page of the survey divided by the participants who completed the first, mandatory, page of the survey) of 42.9% was achieved. Of the three specified trial behaviours, 140/249 (56.2%) therapists were least confident about agreeing to take part in a trial. Therapists (135/249, 52.6%) reported some confidence they could discuss a trial with a parent and child at an appointment. One hundred twenty of 249 (48.2%) therapists reported confidence in sharing information with a research team through questionnaires and interviews or sharing routine health data. Therapists (140/249, 56.2%) felt that taking part in the trial would take a lot of effort and resources. Support and resources, confidence with intervention allocation, and sense of control and professional autonomy over clinical practice were factors that positively affected the acceptability of trials. Of the 40 parents, twelve provided complete data. Most parents (18/40, 45%) agreed that it was clear how trials improve children’s therapies and outcomes and that a cluster randomised trial made sense to them in their therapy situation (12/29, 30%).
Conclusions
Using trials to evaluate therapy interventions is, in principle, acceptable to therapists, but their willingness to participate in trials is variable. The willingness to participate may be particularly influenced by their views related to the burden associated with trials, intervention allocation, and professional autonomy.
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21
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Cox SR, Czuber-Dochan W, Wall CL, Clarke H, Drysdale C, Lomer MC, Lindsay JO, Whelan K. Improving Food-Related Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease through a Novel Web Resource: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14204292. [PMID: 36296976 PMCID: PMC9611328 DOI: 10.3390/nu14204292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Food-related quality of life (FR-QoL) is impaired in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and education and support on food-related issues in IBD is needed. This feasibility trial aimed to investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of a web resource in enhancing FR-QoL in newly diagnosed IBD. Patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in the preceding 12 months, with an impaired FR-QoL, were recruited and randomised to either receive access to the web resource (covering IBD-specific diet concerns) or no access (control group) for 12 weeks, while receiving usual clinical care. FR-QoL, health-related quality of life, psychological outcomes, and clinical disease activity were assessed. Web resource usage was assessed, and patients' experiences of the web resource were investigated in semi-structured interviews. Of 81 patients screened, 50 participants were randomised, 30 to the web resource and 20 to control. FR-QoL increased more in the web resource (+11.7 SD 18.2) than control group (+1.4 SD 20.4) (p = 0.067), while IBD distress reduced in the web resource (-6.8 SD 26.6) and increased in the control group (+8.3 SD 25.5) (p = 0.052), albeit not statistically significantly. End of trial Crohn's disease clinical activity (PRO-2) was significantly lower in the web resource than control group (p = 0.046). Participants most frequently accessed web resource content discussing dietary management of gut symptoms and in semi-structured interviews, reported the website to contain relevant information. This feasibility study demonstrates potential effectiveness of the web resource on improving FR-QoL and psychological outcomes in IBD. An adequately powered effectiveness RCT is feasible to conduct and is now warranted. NCT03884686.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina R. Cox
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Wladyslawa Czuber-Dochan
- Midwifery and Palliative Care, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, King’s College London, London SE1 8WA, UK
| | - Catherine L. Wall
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Hazel Clarke
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Candice Drysdale
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Miranda C. Lomer
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Dietetics, Guy’s & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - James O. Lindsay
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 1BB, UK
| | - Kevin Whelan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
- Correspondence:
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22
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Akagi T, Suzuki K, Kono Y, Ninomiya S, Shibata T, Ueda Y, Shiroshita H, Etoh T, Shiomi A, Ito M, Watanabe J, Murata K, Hirano Y, Shimomura M, Tsukamoto S, Kanemitsu Y, Inomata M. Success rate of acquiring informed consent and barriers to participation in a randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic versus open surgery for non-curative stage IV colon cancer in Japan (JCOG1107). Jpn J Clin Oncol 2022; 52:1270-1275. [PMID: 35863012 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyac112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful achievement of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is dependent on the acquisition of informed consent (IC) from patients. The aim of this study was to prospectively calculate the proportion of participation in a surgical RCT and to identify the reasons for failed acquisition of IC. METHODS A 50-insitution RCT was conducted to evaluate oncological outcomes of open and laparoscopic surgery for stage IV colon cancer (JCOG1107: UMIN-CTR 000000105). The success rate of obtaining IC was evaluated in eight periods between January 2013 and January 2021. In addition, reasons for failed acquisition of IC were identified from questionnaires. RESULTS In total, 391 patients were informed of their eligibility for the trial, and 168 (42%) were randomly assigned to either the laparoscopic surgery group (n = 84) or open surgery group (n = 84). The success rate of IC acquisition ranged from 33 to 58% in three periods. The most common reasons for failed IC acquisition were the patients' preference for one approach of surgery based on recommendations from referring doctors and family members, and anxiety/unhappiness about randomization. CONCLUSIONS The success rate of acquiring IC from patients for an RCT of laparoscopic versus open surgery for stage IV colon cancer was lower than the expected rate planned in the protocol. To obtain the planned rate, investigators should make efforts to inform patients and their families about the medical contributions a surgical RCT can make and recognize that the period in equipoise may be limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Akagi
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Kosuke Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Yohei Kono
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Shigeo Ninomiya
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Tomotaka Shibata
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Yoshitake Ueda
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Hidefumi Shiroshita
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Etoh
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Akio Shiomi
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masaaki Ito
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jun Watanabe
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kohei Murata
- Department of Surgery, Kansai Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yasumitsu Hirano
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Manabu Shimomura
- Department of Surgery, Hiroshima City Asa Citizens Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Tsukamoto
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukihide Kanemitsu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masafumi Inomata
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
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23
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Czwikla J, Herzberg A, Kapp S, Kloep S, Rothgang H, Nitschke I, Haffner C, Hoffmann F. Generalizability and reach of a randomized controlled trial to improve oral health among home care recipients: comparing participants and nonparticipants at baseline and during follow-up. Trials 2022; 23:560. [PMID: 35804423 PMCID: PMC9264743 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06470-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The generalizability of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a low response can be limited by systematic differences between participants and nonparticipants. This participation bias, however, is rarely investigated because data on nonparticipants is usually not available. The purpose of this article is to compare all participants and nonparticipants of a RCT to improve oral health among home care recipients at baseline and during follow-up using claims data. Methods Seven German statutory health and long-term care insurance funds invited 9656 home care recipients to participate in the RCT MundPflege. Claims data for all participants (n = 527, 5.5% response) and nonparticipants (n = 9129) were analyzed. Associations between trial participation and sex, age, care dependency, number of Elixhauser diseases, and dementia, as well as nursing, medical, and dental care utilization at baseline, were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. Associations between trial participation and the probability of (a) moving into a nursing home, (b) being hospitalized, and (c) death during 1 year of follow-up were examined via Cox proportional hazards regressions, controlling for baseline variables. Results At baseline, trial participation was positively associated with male sex (odds ratio 1.29 [95% confidence interval 1.08–1.54]), high (vs. low 1.46 [1.15–1.86]) care dependency, receiving occasional in-kind benefits to relieve caring relatives (1.45 [1.15–1.84]), having a referral by a general practitioner to a medical specialist (1.62 [1.21–2.18]), and dental care utilization (2.02 [1.67–2.45]). It was negatively associated with being 75–84 (vs. < 60 0.67 [0.50–0.90]) and 85 + (0.50 [0.37–0.69]) years old. For morbidity, hospitalizations, and formal, respite, short-term, and day or night care, no associations were found. During follow-up, participants were less likely to move into a nursing home than nonparticipants (hazard ratio 0.50 [0.32–0.79]). For hospitalizations and mortality, no associations were found. Conclusions For half of the comparisons, differences between participants and nonparticipants were observed. The RCT’s generalizability is limited, but to a smaller extent than one would expect because of the low response. Routine data provide a valuable source for investigating potential differences between trial participants and nonparticipants, which might be used by future RCTs to evaluate the generalizability of their findings. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00013517. Retrospectively registered on June 11, 2018. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06470-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Czwikla
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany. .,Department of Health, Long-Term Care and Pensions, SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy, University of Bremen, Mary-Somerville-Straße 5, 28359, Bremen, Germany. .,High-Profile Area of Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Alexandra Herzberg
- Department of Health, Long-Term Care and Pensions, SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy, University of Bremen, Mary-Somerville-Straße 5, 28359, Bremen, Germany.,High-Profile Area of Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Sonja Kapp
- Department of Health, Long-Term Care and Pensions, SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy, University of Bremen, Mary-Somerville-Straße 5, 28359, Bremen, Germany.,High-Profile Area of Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Stephan Kloep
- High-Profile Area of Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany.,Competence Center for Clinical Trials, University of Bremen, Linzer Straße 4, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Heinz Rothgang
- Department of Health, Long-Term Care and Pensions, SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy, University of Bremen, Mary-Somerville-Straße 5, 28359, Bremen, Germany.,High-Profile Area of Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Ina Nitschke
- Division of Gerodontology, Clinic of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials Science, University Medical Center, Liebigstraße 10-14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Clinic of General, Special Care and Geriatric Dentistry, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Plattenstraße 11, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelius Haffner
- Special Care- and Geriatric Dentistry, Städtisches Klinikum Harlaching München, Sanatoriumsplatz 2, 81545, Munich, Germany
| | - Falk Hoffmann
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
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24
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Sherratt FC, Fisher P, Mathieson A, Cherry MG, Pettitt AR, Young B. Patient and health practitioner views and experiences of a cancer trial before and during COVID-19: qualitative study. Trials 2022; 23:509. [PMID: 35717403 PMCID: PMC9206129 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06453-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding patient and health practitioner perspectives on clinical trials can inform opportunities to enhance trial conduct and design, and therefore patient experience. Patients with haematological cancers have faced additional risk and uncertainty during the pandemic but it is unclear how they and practitioners have experienced cancer trials during this period. In the context of a haemato-oncology trial (PETReA), we compared patient and practitioner views and experiences of PETReA before and during COVID-19. Methods Qualitative study embedded within PETReA. Semi-structured interviews (N=41) with patients and practitioners from 16 NHS sites before (n=17) and during the first wave of COVID-19 (n=24). Analysis drew on the framework approach. Results Practitioners acknowledged the need for the trial to continue during the pandemic but their treatment preferences altered, becoming more pronounced for patients who had a favourable response to induction treatment, while staying unchanged for patients with a less favourable response. Practitioners commented that COVID-19 meant the evidence base for the trial arms was lacking or mixed, but that it likely increased the risks of maintenance treatment for patients with a favourable response to induction treatment. While only one participant interviewed withdrew from PETReA during the pandemic, others said they would consider withdrawing if information that they were at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 became available. During COVID-19, patients described less frequent contact with the trial team, which left some feeling less clear about their trial pathway. However, several described having in-depth, collaborative discussions with practitioners about the risks and benefits of randomisation in the context of COVID-19. Patients valued these discussions and were reassured by the emphasis practitioners placed on patients being free to withdraw if circumstances changed, and this helped patients feel comfortable about continuing in PETReA. Conclusions The findings point to ways trial communication can support patients to feel comfortable about continuing in a trial during uncertain times, including adopting a more in-depth, collaborative exploration of the risks and benefits of trial arms with patients and emphasising voluntariness. The results are relevant to trialists recruiting patients who are clinically extremely vulnerable or are at increased risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes despite being vaccinated. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06453-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances C Sherratt
- Department of Public Health, Policy & System, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Peter Fisher
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amy Mathieson
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Greater Manchester, Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Mary G Cherry
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew R Pettitt
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bridget Young
- Department of Public Health, Policy & System, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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25
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Laaksonen N, Bengtström M, Axelin A, Blomster J, Scheinin M, Huupponen R. Success and failure factors of patient recruitment for industry-sponsored clinical trials and the role of the electronic health records-a qualitative interview study in the Nordic countries. Trials 2022; 23:385. [PMID: 35550003 PMCID: PMC9097356 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06144-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patient recruitment for clinical trials is challenging—only approximately one third of all trials recruit their participants as planned. The pharmaceutical industry’s views on recruitment success have not been comprehensively investigated, although the industry globally conducts almost one third of all clinical drug trials. This study explored patient recruitment success and failure factors and the role of electronic health records (EHR) in the recruitment of trial participants in the Nordic countries. Methods A descriptive qualitative interview study was conducted with 21 representatives of the pharmaceutical industry or contract research organizations operating in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. The interviews covered 34 clinical pre-market drug trials. Qualitative data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results Four main categories were derived to represent both success and failure factors, whereas a fifth category represented only failure factors: (1) sponsor-related (protocol and trial preparation and feasibility evaluations), (2) site/investigator-related (access to patients, motivation, commitment and resources), (3) patient-related recruitment factors (medical need, patients’ role in their care and attitudes towards trials), (4) Sponsor—sites—patients collaboration factors, and (5) start-up related factors. EHR was the most important source of recruitment, utilized in 29 out of 34 trials discussed. Revision of the legislation regulating the secondary use of EHR was highlighted as the most effective measure to facilitate the use of EHR in recruitment of trial participants. Conclusions The industry representatives recognized quite well their own role in contributing to the success or failure of the recruitment: to facilitate recruitment of trial participants, many obstacles can be avoided with better trial preparation and proper feasibility evaluations. As access to patients represents one of the key success or failure factors of recruitment, and as the EHR is regarded the main source of searching for and finding patients, the development of EHR utilization appears to represent a powerful tool to improve patient recruitment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06144-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niina Laaksonen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Mia Bengtström
- Pharma Industry Finland, Helsinki, Finland.,Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Anna Axelin
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Juuso Blomster
- Department of Cardiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Mika Scheinin
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Risto Huupponen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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26
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Olsson IM, Malmström M, Rydén L, Olsson Möller U. Feasibility and Relevance of an Intervention with Systematic Screening as a Base for Individualized Rehabilitation in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Trial of the ReScreen Randomized Controlled Trial. J Multidiscip Healthc 2022; 15:1057-1068. [PMID: 35586080 PMCID: PMC9109980 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s355055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Purpose Patients and methods Results Conclusion
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Affiliation(s)
- Ing-Marie Olsson
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
- Correspondence: Ing-Marie Olsson, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Box 157, Lund, 221 00, Sweden, Tel +46 701453530, Fax +46 40333674, Email
| | - Marlene Malmström
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Lisa Rydén
- Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Surgery, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Olsson Möller
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Nursing and Integrated Health Sciences, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
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27
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Understanding potential barriers and enablers to a perioperative early phase cell therapy trial. Cytotherapy 2022; 24:629-638. [PMID: 35396169 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Early-phase cell therapy clinical trials depend on patient and physician involvement, yet barriers can impede their participation. METHODS To optimize engagement for a planned cell therapy trial to prevent perioperative cardiac complications, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with at-risk patients and physicians who could potentially be involved in the study. The authors used the theoretical domains framework to systematically identify potential barriers and enablers. RESULTS Forty-one interviews were conducted to reach data saturation, and four overall potential barriers to participation (themes) were identified. Theme 1 emphasizes that patients and physicians need accessible information to better understand the benefits and risks of the novel therapy and trial procedures and to address misconceptions. Theme 2 underscores the need for clarity on whether the trial's primary purpose is safety or efficacy, as this may influence patient and physician decisions. Theme 3 recognizes the resource and logistic realities for patients (e.g., convenient follow-up appointments) and physicians (e.g., personnel to assist in trial procedures, competing priorities). Theme 4 describes the importance of social influences (e.g., physicians and family, peers/colleagues) that may affect decisions to participate and the importance of patient preferences (e.g., availability of physicians to discuss the trial, including caregivers in discussions). CONCLUSIONS Prospectively addressing these issues may help optimize feasibility prior to conducting an expensive, resource-intensive trial.
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Le Boutillier C, Snowdon C, Patel V, McPhail M, Ward C, Carter B, Uddin R, Zamalloa A, Lawrence V. Using a theory-informed approach to explore patient and staff perspectives on factors that influence clinical trial recruitment for patients with cirrhosis and small oesophageal varices. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263288. [PMID: 35113923 PMCID: PMC8812916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The success of pharmacological randomised controlled trials (RCTs) depends on the recruitment of the required number of participants. Recruitment to RCTs for patients with cirrhosis and small oesophageal varices raises specific additional challenges. The objectives of the study were 1) to explore patient perspectives on factors that influence RCT recruitment, 2) to understand factors that influence the success of recruitment from a staff perspective, and 3) to identify opportunities for tailored interventions to improve trial recruitment in this context. Methods The qualitative study was embedded in a multi-centre blinded RCT (BOPPP trial) and was conducted alongside site opening. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who enrolled to participate in the trial (n = 13), patients who declined to take part (n = 5), and staff who were responsible for recruiting participants to the trial (n = 18). An open approach to data collection and analysis was adopted and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was used to provide a theoretical lens through which to view influences on behaviour. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results The findings consist of 5 overarching themes that outline trial recruitment influences at the patient, staff, team, organisational and trial levels: i) patient risks and benefits ii) staff attitudes, knowledge and capacity, iii) team-based approach, iv) organisational context and v) Trial collective. Patient-generated themes map onto thirteen of the fourteen TDF domains and staff-generated themes map onto all TDF domains. The overarching themes are not mutually exclusive; with evidence of direct interactions between patient and staff-level themes that influence recruitment behaviours. Conclusions This study uses a theory-informed approach to gain new insights into improving clinical trial recruitment for patients with cirrhosis and small oesophageal varices. Although people with cirrhosis often display decreased healthcare-seeking behaviours, we found that patients used research to empower themselves to improve their health. Pragmatic trials involving unpredictable populations require staff expertise in building trust, and a deep knowledge of the patient group and their vulnerabilities. RCT recruitment is also more successful when research visits align with what staff identified as the natural rhythm of care. Trial registration ISRCTN10324656; https://clinicaltrials.gov/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clair Le Boutillier
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Claire Snowdon
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vishal Patel
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology London, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark McPhail
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Ward
- NIHR Clinical Research Network South London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Carter
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruhama Uddin
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ane Zamalloa
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Lawrence
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Tou LC, Jeyakumar SJ, Siddiqui TA, Ravi S, Prakash N. Understanding Patient Perceptions Towards Direct Primary Care: A Focus Group Study. J Patient Exp 2022; 9:23743735221117359. [PMID: 35936512 PMCID: PMC9350501 DOI: 10.1177/23743735221117359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct primary care (DPC) is a growing model of care that is suggested as an
alternative to traditional fee-for-service healthcare. Patient-reported
experiences of DPC can provide unique insight into the impact of joining the
model and inform quality improvement. The purpose of this study was to
investigate patient perceptions of DPC. Thirty-one participants were initially
recruited for the study and completed a survey assessing patient demographics.
Of the 31 participants, 10 went on to complete the focus group interviews.
Qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts identified common themes and
subthemes. Focus group findings were stratified into 4 themes including quality
of care, access to care, affordability, physician qualities, and reasons for
choosing DPC. The top positive subthemes were good communication, joining DPC
due to poor past healthcare experiences, and physician personability. The most
common negative subthemes were difficulty referring to specialists outside the
practice, poor communication, and poor access to medications. All findings were
presented and discussed with the investigated clinic to facilitate improvements
in healthcare delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila C. Tou
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Shereen J. Jeyakumar
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | | | - Srekar Ravi
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Nirmala Prakash
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
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Knowlson C, Dean A, Doherty L, Fairhurst C, Brealey S, Torgerson DJ. Recruitment patterns in multicentre randomised trials fit more closely to Price's Law than the Pareto Principle: A review of trials funded and published by the United Kingdom Health Technology Assessment Programme. Contemp Clin Trials 2021; 113:106665. [PMID: 34968767 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2021.106665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review investigates whether the distribution of recruitment to multicentre randomised controlled trials (RCTs) fits the "Pareto Principle", i.e. 80% of participants are recruited by 20% of sites, or Price's Law, i.e. 50% of participants are recruited by the square root of the total number of sites. METHODS A review of HTA reports published between 2017 and 2019. RESULTS 40 RCTs conducted face-to-face recruitment, five recruited via mail-outs and one used both methods. For face-to-face recruitment (n = 41 studies), 80% of participants were recruited by the top recruiting 42.6% of sites; for mail-out methods (n = 6 studies) this was 52.0%. From the square root of sites, 51.3% and 31.8% of participants were recruited for the two recruitment approaches, respectively. Specifically, 3 (7.3%, 95% CI 2.5% to 19.4%) and 20 (48.8%, 95% CI 34.3% to 63.5%) RCTs followed Pareto Principle and Price's Law, respectively. One mail-out recruitment study followed one of these principles, Price's Law. Chief Investigator (CI) sites (n = 24) in face-to-face recruitment studies recruited 18.1% of participants. CONCLUSION Face-to-face recruitment to HTA-funded RCTs fits more closely to Price's Law than the Pareto Principle, with the CI's site recruiting nearly a fifth of participants. Since we focussed on HTA-funded RCTs with ≥9 recruiting sites and for which the recruitment method and number recruited by site were known, our findings are limited in their generalizability. However, this trend could be used as a guide to aid in estimating how many sites RCTs need. More accurate estimation may prevent the need for recruitment extensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Knowlson
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, ARRC Building, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Alexandra Dean
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, ARRC Building, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Laura Doherty
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, ARRC Building, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Caroline Fairhurst
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, ARRC Building, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Stephen Brealey
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, ARRC Building, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - David J Torgerson
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, ARRC Building, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
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Elliott D, Blencowe NS, Cousins S, Zahra J, Skilton A, Mathews J, Paramasivan S, Hoffmann C, McNair AG, Ochieng C, Richards H, Hossaini S, Scroggie DL, Main B, Potter S, Avery K, Donovan J, Blazeby JM. Using qualitative research methods to understand how surgical procedures and devices are introduced into NHS hospitals: the Lotus study protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e049234. [PMID: 34862280 PMCID: PMC8647399 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The development of innovative invasive procedures and devices are essential to improving outcomes in healthcare. However, how these are introduced into practice has not been studied in detail. The Lotus study will follow a wide range of 'case studies' of new procedures and/or devices being introduced into NHS trusts to explore what information is communicated to patients, how procedures are modified over time and how outcomes are selected and reported. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This qualitative study will use ethnographic approaches to investigate how new invasive procedures and/or devices are introduced. Consultations in which the innovation is discussed will be audio-recorded to understand information provision practice. To understand if and how procedures evolve, they will be video recorded and non-participant observations will be conducted. Post-operative interviews will be conducted with the innovating team and patients who are eligible for the intervention. Audio-recordings will be audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using constant comparison techniques. Video-recordings will be reviewed to deconstruct procedures into key components and document how the procedure evolves. Comparisons will be made between the different data sources. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol has Health Research Authority (HRA) and Health and Care Research Wales approval (Ref 18/SW/0277). Results will be disseminated at appropriate conferences and will be published in peer-reviewed journals. The findings of this study will provide a better understanding of how innovative invasive procedures and/or devices are introduced into practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Elliott
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Natalie S Blencowe
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Sian Cousins
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jesmond Zahra
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Anni Skilton
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Sangeetha Paramasivan
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Christin Hoffmann
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Angus Gk McNair
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Cynthia Ochieng
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hollie Richards
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sina Hossaini
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Darren L Scroggie
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Barry Main
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Shelley Potter
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kerry Avery
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jenny Donovan
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jane M Blazeby
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Surgical Innovation Theme, Centre for Surgical Research, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
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Bunzli S, Nelson E, Wall L, Schilling C, Lohmander LS, Balogh ZJ, Tran P, Paolucci F, Clarke P, Choong PFM, Dowsey MM. Factors Underlying Patient and Surgeon Willingness to Participate in a Placebo Surgery Controlled trial: A Qualitative Investigation. ANNALS OF SURGERY OPEN 2021; 2:e104. [PMID: 37637882 PMCID: PMC10455200 DOI: 10.1097/as9.0000000000000104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the factors underlying willingness to participate in a hypothetical trial among patients and surgeons, to inform the design of future placebo surgery controlled trials. Background Placebo surgery controlled trials are the gold standard for testing the efficacy of surgical procedures. However, these trials commonly fail to meet the target sample size and terminate underpowered. Methods From October 2019 to July 2020, eligible patients were identified from the orthopedic waiting list at a single tertiary hospital and surgeons were identified from orthopedic clinics at three tertiary hospitals in Australia. Qualitative interviews explored factors underlying willingness to participate in a hypothetical trial, including understanding of trial concepts; attitudes; and trial design preferences. Data collection and analysis were conducted in parallel. Recruitment ceased when no new concepts emerged. Interview data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results The majority of surgeons and only a few patients indicated a willingness to participate in a placebo surgery controlled trial. Factors underlying willingness were captured in four themes: (1) Understanding and attitudes toward placebo; (2) Attitudes towards randomization/perception of equipoise; (3) Perception of risk; and (4) Ethical concerns. Conclusions To optimize recruitment in the future, trialists may consider embedding strategies into the recruitment process that validate patients' symptoms, encourage an altruistic mindset, address surgeon biases, and involve surgeons in explaining trial concepts to patients. Trialists may also consider designing three arm trials that meet surgeons' preferences for a "low" and "high" fidelity placebo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bunzli
- From the Department of Surgery, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Nelson
- From the Department of Surgery, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Laura Wall
- Newcastle Business School, The University of Newcastle Faculty of Business and Law, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Chris Schilling
- From the Department of Surgery, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - L. Stefan Lohmander
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Zsolt J. Balogh
- Department of Traumatology, John Hunter Hospital and University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Phong Tran
- Western Health, Footscray Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Francesco Paolucci
- Newcastle Business School, The University of Newcastle Faculty of Business and Law, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Philip Clarke
- Health Economics Research Centre, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter F. M. Choong
- From the Department of Surgery, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michelle M. Dowsey
- From the Department of Surgery, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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El-Khechen HA, Khan MIU, Leenus S, Olaiya O, Durrani Z, Masood Z, Leenus A, Akhter S, Mbuagbaw L. Design, analysis, and reporting of pilot studies in HIV: a systematic review and methodological study. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2021; 7:211. [PMID: 34847957 PMCID: PMC8630899 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-021-00934-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pilot studies are essential in determining if a larger study is feasible. This is especially true when targeting populations that experience stigma and may be difficult to include in research, such as people with HIV. We sought to describe how pilot studies have been used to inform HIV clinical trials. Methods We conducted a methodological study of pilot studies of interventions in people living with HIV published until November 25, 2020, using Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL). We extracted data on their nomenclature, primary objective, use of progression criteria, sample size, use of qualitative methods, and other contextual information (region, income, level, type of intervention, study design). Results Our search retrieved 10,597 studies, of which 248 were eligible. The number of pilot studies increased steadily over time. We found that 179 studies (72.2%) used the terms “pilot” or “feasibility” in their title, 65.3% tested feasibility as a primary objective, only 2% used progression criteria, 23.9% provided a sample size estimation and only 30.2% used qualitative methods. Conclusions Pilot studies are increasingly being used to inform HIV research. However, the titles and objectives are not always consistent with piloting. The design and reporting of pilot studies in HIV could be improved. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40814-021-00934-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Ali El-Khechen
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada.
| | - Mohammed Inam Ullah Khan
- Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Selvin Leenus
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Oluwatobi Olaiya
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zoha Durrani
- Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Zaryan Masood
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alvin Leenus
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shakib Akhter
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Lawrence Mbuagbaw
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada.,Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Center for the Development of Best Practices in Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Kowalewski KF, Sidoti Abate MA, Neuberger M, Kirchner M, Krisam R, Egen L, Haney CM, Siegel F, Michel MS, Honeck P, Nuhn P, Westhoff N, Kriegmair MC. ROBOCOP II (ROBOtic assisted versus conventional open partial nephrectomy) randomised, controlled feasibility trial: clinical trial protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e052087. [PMID: 34732486 PMCID: PMC8572388 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Randomised controlled trials comparing robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and open PN (OPN) are lacking. Therefore, we aim to report the study protocol and a trial update for a randomised controlled feasibility trial comparing RAPN versus OPN for renal neoplasms. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The ROBOtic assisted versus conventional Open Partial nephrectomy II trial is designed as a single-centre, randomised, open-label, feasibility trial. Participation will be offered to patients with renal neoplasms and deemed feasible for both, OPN and RAPN. We aim to enrol 50 patients within 15 months using a 1:1 allocation ratio. The primary endpoint of the trial is feasibility of recruitment and will be successful if one third of eligible patients agree to participate. Secondary endpoints include perioperative results, health-related quality of life, inflammatory response as well as surgical ergonomics of the operating team. If the primary outcome, feasibility of recruitment, is successful, the secondary results of the trial will be used for planning a confirmative phase III trial. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval was obtained from the local institutional review board (Ethik-Kommission II at Heidelberg University: 2020-542N). Results will be made publicly available in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at appropriate congresses and social media. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04534998.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manuel Neuberger
- Department of Urology and Urological Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marietta Kirchner
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Regina Krisam
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luisa Egen
- Department of Urology and Urological Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Fabian Siegel
- Department of Urology and Urological Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Maurice-Stephan Michel
- Department of Urology and Urological Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Patrick Honeck
- Department of Urology and Urological Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Philipp Nuhn
- Department of Urology and Urological Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Niklas Westhoff
- Department of Urology and Urological Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
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Striebich S, Mattern E, Oganowski T, Schäfers R, Ayerle G. Methodological challenges and solution strategies during implementation of a midwife-led multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) in maternity hospitals. BMC Med Res Methodol 2021; 21:222. [PMID: 34689745 PMCID: PMC8542460 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-021-01429-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), especially multicentric, with complex interventions are methodically challenging. Careful planning under everyday conditions in compliance with the relevant international quality standard (Good Clinical Practice [GCP] guideline) is crucial. Specific challenges exist for RCTs conducted in delivery rooms due to various factors that cannot be planned beforehand. Few published RCTs report challenges and problems in implementing complex interventions in maternity wards. In Germany as well as in other countries, midwives and obstetricians have frequently little experience as investigators in clinical trials. Methods The aim is to describe the key methodological and organizational challenges in conducting a multicenter study in maternity wards and the solution strategies applied to them. In particular, project-related and process-oriented challenges for hospital staff are considered. The exemplarily presented randomized controlled trial “BE-UP” investigates the effectiveness of an alternative design of a birthing room on the rate of vaginal births and women-specific outcomes. Results The results are presented in five sectors: 1) Selection of and support for cooperating hospitals: they are to be selected according to predefined criteria, and strategies to offer continuous support in trial implementation must be mapped out. 2) Establishing a process of requesting informed consent: a quality-assured process to inform pregnant women early on must be feasible and effective. 3) Individual digital real-time randomization: In addition to instructing maternity teams, appropriate measures for technical failure must be provided. 4) The standardized birthing room: The complex intervention is to be implemented according to the study protocol yet adapted to the prevailing conditions in the delivery rooms. 5) GCP-compliant documentation: midwives and obstetricians will be instructed in high-quality data collection, supported by external monitoring throughout the trial. Conclusion Since not all potential challenges can be anticipated in the planning of a trial, study teams need to be flexible and react promptly to any problems that threaten recruitment or the implementation of the complex intervention. Thought should be given to the perspectives of midwives and obstetricians as recruiters and how clinic-intern processes could be adapted to correspond with the trial’s requirements. Trial registration The BE-UP study was registered on 07/03/ 2018 in the German Register for Clinical Trials under Reference No. DRKS00012854 and can also be found on the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (see https://apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=DRKS0001285).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Striebich
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Elke Mattern
- Hochschule für Gesundheit Bochum - University of Applied Sciences, Gesundheitscampus 6 - 8, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Theresa Oganowski
- Hochschule für Gesundheit Bochum - University of Applied Sciences, Gesundheitscampus 6 - 8, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Rainhild Schäfers
- Hochschule für Gesundheit Bochum - University of Applied Sciences, Gesundheitscampus 6 - 8, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gertrud Ayerle
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Davies L, Beard D, Cook JA, Price A, Osbeck I, Toye F. The challenge of equipoise in trials with a surgical and non-surgical comparison: a qualitative synthesis using meta-ethnography. Trials 2021; 22:678. [PMID: 34620194 PMCID: PMC8495989 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05403-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Randomised controlled trials in surgery can be a challenge to design and conduct, especially when including a non-surgical comparison. As few as half of initiated surgical trials reach their recruitment target, and failure to recruit is cited as the most frequent reason for premature closure of surgical RCTs. The aim of this qualitative evidence synthesis was to identify and synthesise findings from qualitative studies exploring the challenges in the design and conduct of trials directly comparing surgical and non-surgical interventions. METHODS A qualitative evidence synthesis using meta-ethnography was conducted. Six electronic bibliographic databases (Medline, Central, Cinahl, Embase and PsycInfo) were searched up to the end of February 2018. Studies that explored patients' and health care professionals' experiences regarding participating in RCTs with a surgical and non-surgical comparison were included. The GRADE-CERQual framework was used to assess confidence in review findings. RESULTS In total, 3697 abstracts and 49 full texts were screened and 26 published studies reporting experiences of patients and healthcare professionals were included. The focus of the studies (24/26) was primarily related to the challenge of recruitment. Two studies explored reasons for non-compliance to treatment allocation following randomisation. Five themes related to the challenges to these types of trials were identified: (1) radical choice between treatments; (2) patients' discomfort with randomisation: I want the best treatment for me as an individual; (3) challenge of equipoise: patients' a priori preferences for treatment; (4) challenge of equipoise: clinicians' a priori preferences for treatment and (5) imbalanced presentation of interventions. CONCLUSION The marked dichotomy between the surgical and non-surgical interventions was highlighted in this review as making recruitment to these types of trials particularly challenging. This review identified factors that increase our understanding of why patients and clinicians may find equipoise more challenging in these types of trials compared to other trial comparisons. Trialists may wish to consider exploring the balance of potential factors influencing patient and clinician preferences towards treatments before they start recruitment, to enable issues specific to a particular trial to be identified and addressed. This may enable trial teams to make more efficient considered design choices and benefit the delivery of such trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loretta Davies
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
| | - David Beard
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Jonathan A Cook
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Andrew Price
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | | | - Francine Toye
- Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Aspden T, Armstrong M, Serfaty M. Views of healthcare professionals on recruiting to a psychosocial randomised controlled trial: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:837. [PMID: 34407826 PMCID: PMC8371878 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06817-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Randomised controlled trials, and in particular those of psychosocial interventions, often fail to recruit to target, resulting in underpowered trials with poor generalisability of findings. The objectives of this study were to explore the views of healthcare professionals on recruiting to psychosocial research studies, and to explore their views on factors that may hinder or facilitate recruitment. METHODS We conducted 14 semi-structured interviews, with healthcare professionals who had been involved in recruitment into a randomised controlled trial of a talking therapy for depression in patients with advanced cancer. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Five primary themes were identified, comprised of 11 subthemes. Attitudes towards research were largely positive. Health care professionals identified lack of time and narrow screening criteria as barriers to recruitment, and also noted the tendency to withhold participants from research for reasons other than eligibility (e.g., gatekeeping). The engagement of the study team with the clinical recruitment site, and the frequent presence of a researcher in clinics, were noted as facilitating recruitment. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare professionals involved in recruiting to trials of psychosocial interventions hold generally positive views of psychosocial research. However, they report that constraints including space and time limit their ability to recruit, and express anxieties about approaching patients for trial recruitment in the palliative phase of their illness. The findings from this study can inform how best to design trials, and in particular trials of psychosocial interventions, and train health care professionals for the study, to maximise recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trefor Aspden
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Megan Armstrong
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marc Serfaty
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
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Scantlebury A, McDaid C, Brealey S, Cook E, Sharma H, Ranganathan A, Adamson J. Embedding qualitative research in randomised controlled trials to improve recruitment: findings from two recruitment optimisation studies of orthopaedic surgical trials. Trials 2021; 22:461. [PMID: 34274006 PMCID: PMC8285860 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05420-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recruitment of patients is one of the main challenges when designing and conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Trials of rare injuries or those that include surgical interventions pose added challenges due to the small number of potentially eligible patients and issues with patient preferences and surgeon equipoise. We explore key issues to consider when recruiting to orthopaedic surgical trials from the perspective of staff and patients with the aim of informing the development of strategies to improve recruitment in future research. DESIGN Two qualitative process evaluations of a UK-wide orthopaedic surgical RCT (ACTIVE) and mixed methods randomised feasibility study (PRESTO). Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted and data was analysed thematically. SETTING NHS secondary care organisations throughout the UK. Interviews were undertaken via telephone. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-seven health professionals including UK-based spinal and orthopaedic surgeons and individuals involved in recruitment to the ACTIVE and PRESTO studies (e.g. research nurses, surgeons, physiotherapists). Twenty-two patients including patients who agreed to participate in the ACTIVE and PRESTO studies (n=15) and patients that declined participation in the ACTIVE study (n=7) were interviewed. RESULTS We used a mixed methods systematic review of recruiting patients to randomised controlled trials as a framework for reporting and analysing our findings. Our findings mapped onto those identified in the systematic review and highlighted the importance of equipoise, randomisation, communication, patient's circumstances, altruism and trust in clinical and research teams. Our findings also emphasised the importance of considering how eligibility criteria are operationalised and the impact of complex patient pathways when recruiting to surgical trials. In particular, the influence of health professionals, who are not involved in trial recruitment, on patients' treatment preferences by suggesting they would receive a certain treatment ahead of recruitment consultations should not be underestimated. CONCLUSIONS A wealth of evidence exploring factors affecting recruitment to randomised controlled trials exists. A methodological shift is now required to ensure that this evidence is used by all those involved in recruitment and to ensure that existing knowledge is translated into methods for optimising recruitment to future trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION ACTIVE: ( ISRCTN98152560 ). Registered on 06/03/2018. PRESTO: ( ISRCTN12094890 ). Registered on 22/02/2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arabella Scantlebury
- Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Catriona McDaid
- Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Stephen Brealey
- Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Elizabeth Cook
- Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Hemant Sharma
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - Arun Ranganathan
- Bart's Health NHS Trust, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BB, UK
| | - Joy Adamson
- Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
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Kettle J, Deery C, Bolt R, Papaioannou D, Marshman Z. Stakeholder perspectives on barriers and enablers to recruiting anxious children undergoing day surgery under general anaesthetic: a qualitative internal pilot study of the MAGIC randomised controlled trial. Trials 2021; 22:458. [PMID: 34271982 PMCID: PMC8285773 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05425-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ‘Melatonin for Anxiety prior to General anaesthesia In Children’ (MAGIC) trial was designed to compare midazolam and melatonin as pre-medications for anxious children (aged five to fourteen), undergoing day-case surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Low recruitment is a challenge for many trials, particularly paediatric trials and those in ‘emergency’ settings. A qualitative study as part of MAGIC aimed to gather stakeholder perspectives on barriers and enablers to recruitment. Methods Sixteen stakeholders from six sites participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of setting up the MAGIC trial and recruiting patients as part of the internal pilot. Data was analysed using framework analysis. Results Participants identified barriers and enablers to recruitment. Barriers and enablers related to the study, participants, the population of anxious children, practitioners, collaboration with other health professionals, ethics, specific settings and the context of surgical day units and the wider health system. Attempting to recruit anxious children from a surgical day unit is particularly challenging for several reasons. Issues include the practicalities of dealing with a child experiencing anxiety for parents/guardians; professional unwillingness to make things more difficult for families and clinicians and nurses valuing predictability within a busy and time-sensitive setting. Conclusions Multi-site RCTs face recruitment barriers relating to study-wide and site-specific factors. There are multiple barriers to recruiting anxious children due to undergo day-case surgery. Barriers across domains can interrelate and reinforce each other, reflecting challenges relating to populations and settings. For example, in the case of anxious children, parents and other health professionals are concerned about exacerbating children’s anxiety prior to surgery. They may look for ways to keep things predictable and avoid the uncertainty of an RCT. Pre-trial engagement work could help address concerns among collaborating health professionals. Using rapid ethnography during set-up or an internal pilot to focus on how the protocol will be or has been operationalised in practice may help identify issues. Allowing time to reflect on the findings of internal pilots and implement necessary changes could facilitate higher recruitment during the main phase of a trial. Trial registration NIHR Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN18296119. Registered on October 01, 2019. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05425-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kettle
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA, UK.
| | - Chris Deery
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA, UK
| | - Robert Bolt
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA, UK
| | - Diana Papaioannou
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Zoe Marshman
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA, UK
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Peterson BS, West AE, Weisz JR, Mack WJ, Kipke MD, Findling RL, Mittman BS, Bansal R, Piantadosi S, Takata G, Koebnick C, Ashen C, Snowdy C, Poulsen M, Arora BK, Allem CM, Perez M, Marcy SN, Hudson BO, Chan SH, Weersing R. A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) study of medication and CBT sequencing in the treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:323. [PMID: 34193105 PMCID: PMC8243307 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03314-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of a child who has an anxiety disorder usually begins with the question of which treatment to start first, medication or psychotherapy. Both have strong empirical support, but few studies have compared their effectiveness head-to-head, and none has investigated what to do if the treatment tried first isn't working well-whether to optimize the treatment already begun or to add the other treatment. METHODS This is a single-blind Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) of 24 weeks duration with two levels of randomization, one in each of two 12-week stages. In Stage 1, children will be randomized to fluoxetine or Coping Cat Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In Stage 2, remitters will continue maintenance-level therapy with the single-modality treatment received in Stage 1. Non-remitters during the first 12 weeks of treatment will be randomized to either [1] optimization of their Stage 1 treatment, or [2] optimization of Stage 1 treatment and addition of the other intervention. After the 24-week trial, we will follow participants during open, naturalistic treatment to assess the durability of study treatment effects. Patients, 8-17 years of age who are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, will be recruited and treated within 9 large clinical sites throughout greater Los Angeles. They will be predominantly underserved, ethnic minorities. The primary outcome measure will be the self-report score on the 41-item youth SCARED (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders). An intent-to-treat analysis will compare youth randomized to fluoxetine first versus those randomized to CBT first ("Main Effect 1"). Then, among Stage 1 non-remitters, we will compare non-remitters randomized to optimization of their Stage 1 monotherapy versus non-remitters randomized to combination treatment ("Main Effect 2"). The interaction of these main effects will assess whether one of the 4 treatment sequences (CBT➔CBT; CBT➔med; med➔med; med➔CBT) in non-remitters is significantly better or worse than predicted from main effects alone. DISCUSSION Findings from this SMART study will identify treatment sequences that optimize outcomes in ethnically diverse pediatric patients from underserved low- and middle-income households who have anxiety disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION This protocol, version 1.0, was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on February 17, 2021 with Identifier: NCT04760275 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley S. Peterson
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine at The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Amy E. West
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - John R. Weisz
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
| | - Wendy J. Mack
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine at The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Michele D. Kipke
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine at The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Robert L. Findling
- grid.224260.00000 0004 0458 8737Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA
| | - Brian S. Mittman
- grid.414895.50000 0004 0445 1191Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Ravi Bansal
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Steven Piantadosi
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XBrigham And Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Glenn Takata
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Corinna Koebnick
- grid.414895.50000 0004 0445 1191Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Ceth Ashen
- Children’s Bureau of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Christopher Snowdy
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine at The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Marie Poulsen
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Bhavana Kumar Arora
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Courtney M. Allem
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Marisa Perez
- Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, Altadena, USA
| | - Stephanie N. Marcy
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Bradley O. Hudson
- grid.239546.f0000 0001 2153 6013Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | | | - Robin Weersing
- grid.263081.e0000 0001 0790 1491SDSU-UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA
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Wong CA, Song WB, Jiao M, O'Brien E, Ubel P, Wang G, Scales CD. Strategies for research participant engagement: A synthetic review and conceptual framework. Clin Trials 2021; 18:457-465. [PMID: 34011179 DOI: 10.1177/17407745211011068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research participant engagement, which we define as recruitment and retention in clinical trials, is a costly and challenging issue in clinical research. Research teams have leveraged a variety of strategies to increase research participant engagement in clinical trials, although a framework and evidence for effective participant engagement strategies are lacking. We (1) developed a novel conceptual framework for strategies used to recruit and retain participants in clinical trials based on their underlying behavioral principles and (2) categorized empirically tested recruitment and retention strategies in this novel framework. METHODS We conducted a synthetic analysis of interventions tested in studies from two Cochrane reviews on clinical trial recruitment and retention, which included studies from 1986 to 2015. We developed a conceptual framework of behavioral strategies for increasing research participant engagement using deductive and inductive approaches with the studies included in the Cochrane reviews. Reviewed interventions were then categorized using this framework. We examined the results of reviewed interventions and categorized the effects on clinical trial recruitment and retention as significantly positive, null, or significantly negative; summary statistics are presented for the frequency and effects of each behavioral strategy type. RESULTS We analyzed 141 unique interventions across 96 studies: 91 interventions targeted clinical trial research participant recruitment and 50 targeted retention. Our framework included 14 behavioral strategies to improve research participant engagement grouped into four general approaches: changing attitudes by appealing to social motivators, changing attitudes by targeting individual psychology, reducing barriers and cognitive burdens, and providing incentives. The majority of interventions (54%) aimed to reduce barriers or cognitive burdens, with improving comprehension (27%) as the most common specific strategy identified. For recruitment, the most common behavioral strategies tested were building legitimacy or trust (38%) and framing risks and benefits (32%), while financial or material incentives (32%) and reducing financial, time, and social barriers (32%) were most common for retention interventions. Among interventions tested in randomized controlled trials, 51% had a null effect on research participant engagement, and 30% had a statistically significant positive effect. DISCUSSION Clinical researchers have tested a wide range of interventions that leverage distinct behavioral strategies to achieve improved research participant recruitment and retention. Common behavioral strategies include building legitimacy or trust between research teams and participants, as well as improving participant comprehension of trial objectives and procedures. The high frequency of null effects among tested interventions suggests challenges in selecting the optimal interventions for increasing research participant engagement, although the proposed behavioral strategy categories can serve as a conceptual framework for developing and testing future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene A Wong
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Duke Children's Health and Discovery Initiative, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William B Song
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Megan Jiao
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Emily O'Brien
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peter Ubel
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Sanford School of Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gary Wang
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Charles D Scales
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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Carroll LM, Morris ME, O'Connor WT, Clifford AM. Community aquatic therapy for Parkinson's disease: an international qualitative study. Disabil Rehabil 2021; 44:4379-4388. [PMID: 33825601 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1906959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the opinions of people living with Parkinson's disease about access to and participation in community aquatic therapy. METHODS Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with people living with Parkinson's disease in Ireland (n = 24) and Australia (n = 10). All discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. RESULTS Four main themes were identified. Primarily, participants were optimistic about their reasons for choosing aquatic therapy and found it beneficial to their health and well-being. Optimal components of aquatic therapy identified were access to individually tailored aquatic programs, completed as a minimum once a week, at a moderate to high-intensity level, and guided by a credentialed instructor. Fear was a significant barrier for a small proportion of participants and was linked to water competence, past experiences, and fall risk associated with the aquatic environment. Participants identified a strong need for education and increased awareness about aquatic therapy benefits to promote greater engagement. CONCLUSION Aquatic therapy is a popular exercise choice for people with Parkinson's disease, especially in the early to middle disease stages. Considering the views of people living with Parkinson's disease can aid the design and implementation of interventions and future aquatic research internationally.Implications for RehabilitationAquatic therapy is emerging as an effective physiotherapy approach for managing motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.Little is known regarding community-based aquatic therapy programs from the perspectives of people living with Parkinson's disease internationally.People with Parkinson's disease may benefit from timely information about the unique benefits, prerequisites, and local aquatic therapy facilities to promote greater uptake of aquatic programs.Tailored aquatic therapy interventions delivered within a group setting by a credentialed healthcare professional may increase long-term adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise M Carroll
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Meg E Morris
- Victorian Rehabilitation Centre, Healthscope, Glen Waverley, Australia.,ARCH, College Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.,College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Australia
| | - William T O'Connor
- University of Limerick School of Medicine, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Amanda M Clifford
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Health Research Institute, Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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Castillo G, Lalu M, Asad S, Foster M, Kekre N, Fergusson D, Hawrysh T, Atkins H, Thavorn K, Montroy J, Schwartz S, Holt R, Broady R, Presseau J. Hematologists' barriers and enablers to screening and recruiting patients to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy trial: a theory-informed interview study. Trials 2021; 22:230. [PMID: 33766105 PMCID: PMC7995587 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05121-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel therapies often fail to reach the bedside due to low trial recruitment rates. Prior to conducting one of the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy trials in Canada, we used the Theoretical Domains Framework, a novel tool for identifying barriers and enablers to behavior change, to identify physician-related barriers and enablers to screening and recruiting patients for an early phase immunotherapy trial. METHODS We conducted interviews with hematologists across Canada and used a directed content analysis to identify relevant domains reflecting the key factors that may affect screening and recruitment. RESULTS In total, we interviewed 15 hematologists. Physicians expressed "cautious hope"; while expressing safety, feasibility, and screening criteria concerns, 14 out of 15 hematologists intended to screen for the trial (domains: knowledge, goals, beliefs about consequences, intentions). Physicians underscored the "challenging contexts," identifying resources, workload, forgetting, and patient wait times to receive CAR T cells as key practical barriers to screening (domains: environmental context and resources, memory, attention and decision-making, behavioral regulation). They also highlighted "variability in roles and procedures" that may lead to missed trial candidates (domain: social and professional role). Left unaddressed, these barriers may undermine trial recruitment. CONCLUSIONS This study is among the first to use the Theoretical Domains Framework from the physician perspective to identify recruitment challenges to early phase trials and demonstrates the value of this approach for identifying barriers to screening and recruitment that may not otherwise have been elicited. This approach can optimize trial procedures and may serve to inform future promising early phase cancer therapy trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03765177 . Registered on December 5, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisell Castillo
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Blueprint Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Manoj Lalu
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Blueprint Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Ottawa at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Sarah Asad
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Blueprint Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Madison Foster
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Blueprint Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Natasha Kekre
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Dean Fergusson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Blueprint Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | | | - Harold Atkins
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Kednapa Thavorn
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5Z3, Canada
- Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences (ICES), University of Ottawa, 1053 Carling Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - Joshua Montroy
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Blueprint Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | | | - Robert Holt
- BC Cancer Genome Sciences Centre, 100-570 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Raewyn Broady
- Leukemia/BMT Program, Vancouver General Hospital, 2775 Laurel St - 10th floor, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Justin Presseau
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada.
- Blueprint Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada.
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5Z3, Canada.
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Kurmann S, Reber E, Vasiloglou MF, Schuetz P, Schoenenberger AW, Uhlmann K, Sterchi AB, Stanga Z. Energy and protein intake in medical and geriatric inpatients with MEDPass versus conventional administration of oral nutritional supplements: study protocol for the randomized controlled MEDPass Trial. Trials 2021; 22:210. [PMID: 33726841 PMCID: PMC7962290 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05145-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Disease-related malnutrition is highly prevalent in hospitalized medical and geriatric inpatients. It is associated with negative outcomes such as muscle wasting, decline of functional status, and increased morbidity and mortality. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are frequently used in nutritional therapy to increase intake. However, compliance to ONS is often limited and maybe improved by prescribing ONS in small portions timed with the medication (MEDPass). However, it is unknown whether the MEDPass administration enhances patients’ total energy and protein intake. Methods The MEDPass Trial is a randomized, controlled, open-label superiority trial. Patients in the MEDPass group receive 50 ml of ONS four times per day, distributed with the medication rounds. Patients in the control group receive ONS between meals. The primary outcome is average daily energy intake (% of calculated daily requirement). For our power analysis, we assumed that administration of ONS in the MEDPass administration mode increases energy intake by at least 10% (i.e., by 200 kcal for an average energy requirement of 2200 kcal/day). Thus, with the inclusion of 200 patients, this trial has 80% power to demonstrate that intervention group patients have an average intake of 2200 kcal/day (SD 500 kcal) versus 2000 kcal/day (SD 500 kcal) in control group patients. Energy and protein intakes from ONS and all food consumed are monitored continuously throughout the hospital stay and are statistically compared to the patient’s requirements. Secondary outcomes include average daily protein intake (% of calculated daily requirement), average intake of ONS/day, the course of body weight, handgrip strength, appetite, and nausea. Furthermore, hospital length of stay and 30-day mortality are assessed. The primary statistical analysis will be performed as an intention-to-treat analysis adjusted for the stratification factors used in randomization. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial assessing total energy and protein intake for the entire hospitalization period in patients receiving MEDPass versus conventional ONS administration. Thus, the MEDPass Trial will fill a gap and answer this relevant clinical question. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03761680. Registered on 3 December 2018. Kofam.ch SNCTP000003191. Registered on 15 October 2018
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Kurmann
- Health Division, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Research and Development, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Murtenstrasse 10, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Emilie Reber
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 15, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maria F Vasiloglou
- AI in Health and Nutrition Laboratory, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 50, CH-3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Schuetz
- Medical University Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Division of General Internal and Emergency Medicine, Kantonsspital Aarau and Medical Faculty of the University of Basel, Tellstrasse H7, CH-5001, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Andreas W Schoenenberger
- Department of Geriatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Tiefenaustrasse 112, CH-3004, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katja Uhlmann
- Health Division, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Research and Development, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Murtenstrasse 10, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna-Barbara Sterchi
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 15, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Zeno Stanga
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 15, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
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IJmker-Hemink V, Lize N, Beijer S, Raijmakers N, Wanten G, van den Berg M. Lessons learned from a randomized controlled trial on a home delivered meal service in advanced cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a pilot study. BMC Nutr 2021; 7:4. [PMID: 33588932 PMCID: PMC7885490 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-021-00407-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Performing a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in the field of nutrition is challenging and success highly depends on understanding the factors that influence recruitment and dropout of participants. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of a RCT that evaluated a home delivered meal service in advanced cancer patients while receiving chemotherapy. METHODS This pilot RCT aimed to enroll 20 participants who were randomized into the home delivered meal service group or usual care group. Study procedures took place before chemotherapy (T0), 3 weeks after T0 (T1), 6 weeks after T0 (T2) and 3 months after T2 (T3). All information regarding recruitment, dropout and study procedures was recorded. Patient satisfaction was assessed by in-depth interviews. RESULTS Over 7 months, 20 of 41 approached patients (49%) were included, followed by a dropout rate of 35%. At baseline, hand grip strength (n = 8/16), the Short Physical Performance Battery (n = 12/16) and nutritional intake (n = 8/16) had the highest rate of missing values. Study procedures were not experienced as burdensome and planning of these procedures in line with fixed hospital appointments contributed to this low burden. Keeping the symptom diary was mentioned as being burdensome. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible to conduct a RCT on a home delivered meal service in advanced cancer patients during chemotherapy, although recruitment is challenging. Close contact of patients with recruiting personnel is essential to sustain motivation. To increase compliance with the study protocol it is important to carefully instruct participants on how to complete questionnaires and to emphasize to use these in the communication with their practitioners. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03382171 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera IJmker-Hemink
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Dietetics and Intestinal Failure, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Nora Lize
- Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Beijer
- Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Natasja Raijmakers
- Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Association for Palliative Care (PZNL), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Geert Wanten
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Manon van den Berg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Dietetics and Intestinal Failure, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Sustainability as a “New Normal” for Modern Businesses: Are SMEs of Pakistan Ready to Adopt It? SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13041944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While in developed countries, the concept of sustainability is being recognized as a “new normal” for modern businesses, the situation is entirely different in the context of developing and underdeveloped regions of the world. Shockingly, most of the developing nations do not consider the environmental dimension of CSR as their priority, and this is one of the reasons that the issue of climate change is a hot topic of debate among contemporary researchers and policymakers from developing economies. The present study aims to explore the type and level of CSR engagement among different organizations of the SME sector in Pakistan. Further, the study also intends to uncover any potential difference between medium-sized enterprises and small-sized enterprises in terms of their CSR preferences and engagements. The study uses a qualitative approach in order to get deeper insights to meet study objectives through in-depth semi-structured interviews. In this regard, the data were collected from nine SMEs belonging to different sectors in Lahore city of Pakistan. The authors used thematic analysis in order to analyze in-depth interviews, and three main themes were extracted, including social CSR, economic CSR, and environmental CSR. The results revealed that most of the medium-sized enterprises prefer the social dimension of CSR, whereas small-sized enterprises are largely concerned with the economic dimension of CSR. It has also been revealed that the environmental dimension of CSR is non-existent in the case of small-sized enterprises. The results of the present study will help policymakers to better understand the phenomenon of CSR and to rethink their CSR policies for a better and sustainable future.
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47
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Hall NJ, Sherratt FC, Eaton S, Reading I, Walker E, Chorozoglou M, Beasant L, Wood W, Stanton M, Corbett HJ, Rex D, Hutchings N, Dixon E, Grist S, Hoff WV, Crawley E, Blazeby J, Young B. Conservative treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis in children: the CONTRACT feasibility study, including feasibility RCT. Health Technol Assess 2021; 25:1-192. [PMID: 33630732 PMCID: PMC7958256 DOI: 10.3310/hta25100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although non-operative treatment is known to be effective for the treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis in children, randomised trial data comparing important outcomes of non-operative treatment with those of appendicectomy are lacking. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to ascertain the feasibility of conducting a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a non-operative treatment pathway with appendicectomy for the treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis in children. DESIGN This was a mixed-methods study, which included a feasibility randomised controlled trial, embedded and parallel qualitative and survey studies, a parallel health economic feasibility study and the development of a core outcome set. SETTING This study was set in three specialist NHS paediatric surgical units in England. PARTICIPANTS Children (aged 4-15 years) clinically diagnosed with uncomplicated acute appendicitis participated in the feasibility randomised controlled trial. Children, their families, recruiting clinicians and other health-care professionals involved in caring for children with appendicitis took part in the qualitative study. UK specialist paediatric surgeons took part in the survey. Specialist paediatric surgeons, adult general surgeons who treat children, and children and young people who previously had appendicitis, along with their families, took part in the development of the core outcome set. INTERVENTIONS Participants in the feasibility randomised controlled trial were randomised to a non-operative treatment pathway (broad-spectrum antibiotics and active observation) or appendicectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was the proportion of eligible patients recruited to the feasibility trial. DATA SOURCES Data were sourced from NHS case notes, questionnaire responses, transcribed audio-recordings of recruitment discussions and qualitative interviews. RESULTS Overall, 50% (95% confidence interval 40% to 59%) of 115 eligible patients approached about the trial agreed to participate and were randomised. There was high acceptance of randomisation and good adherence to trial procedures and follow-up (follow-up rates of 89%, 85% and 85% at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, respectively). More participants had perforated appendicitis than had been anticipated. Qualitative work enabled us to communicate about the trial effectively with patients and families, to design and deliver bespoke training to optimise recruitment and to understand how to optimise the design and delivery of a future trial. The health economic study indicated that the main cost drivers are the ward stay cost and the cost of the operation; it has also informed quality-of-life assessment methods for future work. A core outcome set for the treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis in children and young people was developed, containing 14 outcomes. There is adequate surgeon interest to justify proceeding to an effectiveness trial, with 51% of those surveyed expressing a willingness to recruit with an unchanged trial protocol. LIMITATIONS Because the feasibility randomised controlled trial was performed in only three centres, successful recruitment across a larger number of sites cannot be guaranteed. However, the qualitative work has informed a bespoke training package to facilitate this. Although survey results suggest adequate clinician interest to make a larger trial possible, actual participation may differ, and equipoise may have changed over time. CONCLUSIONS A future effectiveness trial is feasible, following limited additional preparation, to establish appropriate outcome measures and case identification. It is recommended to include a limited package of qualitative work to optimise recruitment, in particular at new centres. FUTURE WORK Prior to proceeding to an effectiveness trial, there is a need to develop a robust method for distinguishing children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis from those with more advanced appendicitis, and to reach agreement on a primary outcome measure and effect size that is acceptable to all stakeholder groups involved. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN15830435. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 10. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel J Hall
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Frances C Sherratt
- Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Simon Eaton
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Department of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Isabel Reading
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Erin Walker
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Maria Chorozoglou
- Southampton Health Technology Assessment Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Lucy Beasant
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Wendy Wood
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Research Design Service South Central, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Michael Stanton
- Department of Paediatric Surgery and Urology, Southampton Children's Hospital, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Harriet J Corbett
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Dean Rex
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Natalie Hutchings
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Elizabeth Dixon
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Simon Grist
- Patient and public involvement representative
| | - William Van't Hoff
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Esther Crawley
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jane Blazeby
- Centre for Surgical Research, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Bridget Young
- Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Axén I, Björk Brämberg E, Galaasen Bakken A, Kwak L. Recruiting in intervention studies: challenges and solutions. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e044702. [PMID: 33495262 PMCID: PMC7839899 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In order for study results to be relevant for practice, the study participants should represent the source population. A common problem is recruitment of sufficient and representative subjects, threatening the external validity of the study and, ultimately, evidence-based practice. The aim was to highlight common challenges and to present possible solutions to recruitment. METHODS Using four recent randomised controlled trials as examples, common recruitment challenges were highlighted and solutions were proposed. The four studies represented some common and some specific challenges, but they investigated interventions for the prevention of the two major public health challenges of today: musculoskeletal pain and common mental disorders. RESULTS Identified challenges and suggested solutions were presented as a checklist to be used for future trials in order to aid recruitment and reporting thereof.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iben Axén
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Lydia Kwak
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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What Prompts Small and Medium Enterprises to Implement CSR? A Qualitative Insight from an Emerging Economy. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13020952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The topic of corporate social responsibility (henceforth referred to as CSR) has been a central topic during the last decade, but the majority of the existing literature discusses CSR relationship with large organizations. Whereas, its contribution in small and medium enterprises (henceforth referred to as SME) sector has received little attention. There have been some studies that focused on CSR activities in SME sector quantitatively in the context of developing economies like Pakistan, but the fact is, to date, SME sector of Pakistan is not participating actively in CSR-related activities due to some constraints. The present study is a pioneer attempt, to explore CSR barriers that restrict SME sector of Pakistan from practicing CSR initiatives. For this reason, the present study explores these barriers qualitatively in order to gain in-depth knowledge of different CSR barriers. In doing so, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews from 9 SMEs in Lahore city of Pakistan. We performed thematic analysis, which produced five relevant themes of CSR barriers, including: Lack of resources, lack of regulations, lack of top management commitment, lack of CSR knowledge, and passive customer behavior. Our analysis further showed that lack of resources is the most related barrier that hinder SMEs to be engaged in CSR activities. This paper contributes to CSR literature in emerging economies’ context. Through an increased awareness of barriers, policy makers and practitioners may take necessary steps to improve CSR practices in SMEs.
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50
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Pinto BM, Dunsiger SI. The many faces of recruitment in a randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2021; 102:106285. [PMID: 33482396 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2021.106285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoughtful approaches to study recruitment are a critical step in designing and implementing randomized controlled trials. Delays and challenges in recruitment can be costly and can result in smaller than proposed sample sizes which have downstream effects, such as underpowered studies. PURPOSE The current study evaluated recruitment methods (e.g., targeted mailings, brochures/flyers, social media) and their relationship to eligibility, randomization, participant characteristics and retention at end of a randomized controlled trial of physical activity adoption and maintenance among breast cancer survivors. METHODS Screening data from 874 women was analyzed for recruitment method, study eligibility, randomization and retention through end of treatment. Costs per randomized participant were calculated by recruitment method. Baseline participant characteristics were compared across recruitment methods and between randomized and retained participants. RESULTS Rates of participant accrual from eligibility screening through randomization differed statistically significantly depending on recruitment method (p < .05). The highest randomization rates were obtained via targeted mailings (88.2%) and lowest via brochure/flyer (0.4%). Among the randomized sample, there were no differences in demographic characteristics between recruitment methods, however, there were differences within the targeted mailings category (registries vs. organizational recruitment). There were statistically significant differences in costs between recruitment methods (p < .001) with lowest (non-negligible) cost being targeted mailings. CONCLUSIONS The current RCT of breast cancer survivors successfully recruited and retained participants, highlighting the need to combine recruitment methods to achieve accrual goals. Recruitment methods differed substantially in their cost and their ability to attract individuals who would ultimately be randomized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardine M Pinto
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, 1601 Greene Street, Rm 302B, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
| | - Shira I Dunsiger
- Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, School of Public Health, Box G-S121-8, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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