Table 1 NIHR Guidelines for Carbon Reduction in Clinical Trials1
Setting the research question and full use of existing evidence | • Always carry out systematic reviews of existing evidence before new grant submission. • Involve clinicians and patients in shaping applied research agendas. |
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Efficient study design | • Efficient use of resources such as patient populations and patient time. • Consider the possibility of answering several questions through one study. • Involve methodologists in research design. |
Study set up | • Maximize professional assistance through research funders, clinical trial units, and NIHR networks to minimize time spent on bureaucratic process. • Decrease time spent on patient recruitment. |
Avoid unnecessary data collection | • Clear study protocols. • Measure outcomes remotely when possible (phone, internet). • If patient contact is necessary, utilize outcome assessors that are in close proximity to patients. • Do not measure all outcomes on all patients if unnecessary. |
Sensible clinical trial monitoring | • Focus on issues that are critical for safety and wellbeing of study participants and reliability of results. • Avoid monitoring that requires extensive travel to study sites; limit travel to sites only when there is an issue or concern. • Use centralized, systematic programs to ensure data authenticity and quality. |
Good practice in research reporting | • Report results of new primary research within updated systematic reviews of other relevant research. • Ensure research reports are presented in a manner that allows information to be utilized by readers. |