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How pre-trial qualitative research can change proposed RCT design: a case study and implications for future research
Trials volume 16, Article number: O35 (2015)
Background
There is increasing integration of qualitative research within randomised controlled trials (RCTs). However, how these methods are applied at the pre-trial stage to inform trial design and conduct is less well explored. Here we describe how qualitative methods were used in a feasibility study to inform the design of a pilot RCT.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews with purposely sampled clinicians (n=61) and patients (n=32) explored current clinical practice and views about the proposed trial interventions and protocol. Analysis used constant comparative approaches. Emerging findings were disseminated through focused reports/presentations to the study management group and steering committee as research progressed.
Findings
Qualitative findings informed changes to fundamental aspects of trial design and proposed outcome measures. Clinicians' interpretations of the original interventions were variable, and descriptions of current practice/terminology consistently differed with assumptions made in the grant proposal and commissioned call for research. New outcomes were recognised, prompted by clinicians'/patients' priorities. Measuring and reporting these outcomes was deemed crucial for a full trial's potential to impact future practice. Interviews with clinicians also prompted new ‘in trial’ data collection requirements, as clinicians anticipated potential changes to their clinical practice to accommodate the trial interventions. These changes had potential to impact the primary outcomes, prompting recommendations to measure/record these practices during trial conduct.
Conclusion
Qualitative research at the pre-trial stage can transform fundamental aspects of trial design/delivery. Presenting emergent findings as the research progresses is one approach to enhancing impact, facilitated by participation of qualitative researchers as core members of investigator teams.
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This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
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Rooshenas, L., Mcmullen, C., Mathers, J. et al. How pre-trial qualitative research can change proposed RCT design: a case study and implications for future research. Trials 16, O35 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-16-S2-O35
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Keywords
- Qualitative Research
- Trial Design
- Fundamental Aspect
- Current Clinical Practice
- Qualitative Researcher
