Abstract
Randomised trials are at the heart of evidence-based healthcare, but the methods and infrastructure for conducting these sometimes complex studies are largely evidence free. Trial Forge ( www.trialforge.org ) is an initiative that aims to increase the evidence base for trial decision making and, in doing so, to improve trial efficiency.This paper summarises a one-day workshop held in Edinburgh on 10 July 2014 to discuss Trial Forge and how to advance this initiative. We first outline the problem of inefficiency in randomised trials and go on to describe Trial Forge. We present participants' views on the processes in the life of a randomised trial that should be covered by Trial Forge.General support existed at the workshop for the Trial Forge approach to increase the evidence base for making randomised trial decisions and for improving trial efficiency. Agreed upon key processes included choosing the right research question; logistical planning for delivery, training of staff, recruitment, and retention; data management and dissemination; and close down. The process of linking to existing initiatives where possible was considered crucial. Trial Forge will not be a guideline or a checklist but a 'go to' website for research on randomised trials methods, with a linked programme of applied methodology research, coupled to an effective evidence-dissemination process. Moreover, it will support an informal network of interested trialists who meet virtually (online) and occasionally in person to build capacity and knowledge in the design and conduct of efficient randomised trials.Some of the resources invested in randomised trials are wasted because of limited evidence upon which to base many aspects of design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of clinical trials. Trial Forge will help to address this lack of evidence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 261 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Trials |
| Volume | 16 |
| Early online date | 5 Jun 2015 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Jun 2015 |
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Keywords
- randomised controlled trials
- methodology
- efficiency
- research waste
Cite this
Making randomised trials more efficient : report of the first meeting to discuss the Trial Forge platform. / Treweek, Shaun; Altman, Doug G; Bower, Peter; Campbell, Marion; Chalmers, Iain; Cotton, Seonaidh; Craig, Peter; Crosby, David; Davidson, Peter; Devane, Declan; Duley, Lelia; Dunn, Janet; Elbourne, Diana; Farrell, Barbara; Gamble, Carrol; Gillies, Katie; Hood, Kerry; Lang, Trudie; Littleford, Roberta; Loudon, Kirsty; McDonald, Alison; McPherson, Gladys; Nelson, Annmarie; Norrie, John; Ramsay, Craig; Sandercock, Peter; Shanahan, Daniel R; Summerskill, William; Sydes, Matt; Williamson, Paula; Clarke, Mike.
In: Trials, Vol. 16, 261, 05.06.2015.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Making randomised trials more efficient
T2 - report of the first meeting to discuss the Trial Forge platform
AU - Treweek, Shaun
AU - Altman, Doug G
AU - Bower, Peter
AU - Campbell, Marion
AU - Chalmers, Iain
AU - Cotton, Seonaidh
AU - Craig, Peter
AU - Crosby, David
AU - Davidson, Peter
AU - Devane, Declan
AU - Duley, Lelia
AU - Dunn, Janet
AU - Elbourne, Diana
AU - Farrell, Barbara
AU - Gamble, Carrol
AU - Gillies, Katie
AU - Hood, Kerry
AU - Lang, Trudie
AU - Littleford, Roberta
AU - Loudon, Kirsty
AU - McDonald, Alison
AU - McPherson, Gladys
AU - Nelson, Annmarie
AU - Norrie, John
AU - Ramsay, Craig
AU - Sandercock, Peter
AU - Shanahan, Daniel R
AU - Summerskill, William
AU - Sydes, Matt
AU - Williamson, Paula
AU - Clarke, Mike
N1 - Acknowledgments We are grateful for the contributions of Monica Ensini, Michela Guglieri, Peter Holding, Lynn McKenzie, Ken Snowden, and David Torgerson. The Edinburgh workshop was funded by the Network of MRC Hubs for Trials Methodology Research and the Health Services Research Unit at the University of Aberdeen. The Health Services Research Unit at the University of Aberdeen is funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates. Funding The workshop was funded by the Network of MRC Hubs for Trials Methodology Research and the Health Services Research Unit at the University of Aberdeen.
PY - 2015/6/5
Y1 - 2015/6/5
N2 - Randomised trials are at the heart of evidence-based healthcare, but the methods and infrastructure for conducting these sometimes complex studies are largely evidence free. Trial Forge ( www.trialforge.org ) is an initiative that aims to increase the evidence base for trial decision making and, in doing so, to improve trial efficiency.This paper summarises a one-day workshop held in Edinburgh on 10 July 2014 to discuss Trial Forge and how to advance this initiative. We first outline the problem of inefficiency in randomised trials and go on to describe Trial Forge. We present participants' views on the processes in the life of a randomised trial that should be covered by Trial Forge.General support existed at the workshop for the Trial Forge approach to increase the evidence base for making randomised trial decisions and for improving trial efficiency. Agreed upon key processes included choosing the right research question; logistical planning for delivery, training of staff, recruitment, and retention; data management and dissemination; and close down. The process of linking to existing initiatives where possible was considered crucial. Trial Forge will not be a guideline or a checklist but a 'go to' website for research on randomised trials methods, with a linked programme of applied methodology research, coupled to an effective evidence-dissemination process. Moreover, it will support an informal network of interested trialists who meet virtually (online) and occasionally in person to build capacity and knowledge in the design and conduct of efficient randomised trials.Some of the resources invested in randomised trials are wasted because of limited evidence upon which to base many aspects of design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of clinical trials. Trial Forge will help to address this lack of evidence.
AB - Randomised trials are at the heart of evidence-based healthcare, but the methods and infrastructure for conducting these sometimes complex studies are largely evidence free. Trial Forge ( www.trialforge.org ) is an initiative that aims to increase the evidence base for trial decision making and, in doing so, to improve trial efficiency.This paper summarises a one-day workshop held in Edinburgh on 10 July 2014 to discuss Trial Forge and how to advance this initiative. We first outline the problem of inefficiency in randomised trials and go on to describe Trial Forge. We present participants' views on the processes in the life of a randomised trial that should be covered by Trial Forge.General support existed at the workshop for the Trial Forge approach to increase the evidence base for making randomised trial decisions and for improving trial efficiency. Agreed upon key processes included choosing the right research question; logistical planning for delivery, training of staff, recruitment, and retention; data management and dissemination; and close down. The process of linking to existing initiatives where possible was considered crucial. Trial Forge will not be a guideline or a checklist but a 'go to' website for research on randomised trials methods, with a linked programme of applied methodology research, coupled to an effective evidence-dissemination process. Moreover, it will support an informal network of interested trialists who meet virtually (online) and occasionally in person to build capacity and knowledge in the design and conduct of efficient randomised trials.Some of the resources invested in randomised trials are wasted because of limited evidence upon which to base many aspects of design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of clinical trials. Trial Forge will help to address this lack of evidence.
KW - randomised controlled trials
KW - methodology
KW - efficiency
KW - research waste
U2 - 10.1186/s13063-015-0776-0
DO - 10.1186/s13063-015-0776-0
M3 - Article
VL - 16
JO - Trials
JF - Trials
SN - 1745-6215
M1 - 261
ER -