The PROMoting THE USE of SWATs (PROMETHEUS) Programme: Lessons learnt and future developments for SWATs

Laura Clark* (Corresponding Author), Catherine Arundel, Elizabeth Coleman, Laura Doherty, Adwoa Parker, Catherine A Hewitt, David J Beard, Peter Bower, Paul Brocklehurst, Cindy Cooper, Lucy Culliford, Declan Devane, Richard Emsley, Sandra Eldridge, Sandra Galvin, Katie Gillies, Alan Montgomery , Christopher Sutton, Shaun Treweek, David Torgerson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Introduction
The PROMETHEUS programme (PROMoting THE USE of SWATs) was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) infrastructure funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The purpose was to develop strategies to increase the recruitment and retention evidence base. This paper aims to present observations from this work.

Observations
The PROMETHUS programme funded 42 SWATs, the average cost of each SWAT was £4007. A central coordination point enabled a concentrated effort in SWAT research activity leading to a rapid increase in the evidence base. The methodological feasibility of undertaking a coordinated SWAT design was established. The international Trial Forge SWAT Network was developed in 2021 to connect research groups in response for the need to connect teams undertaking methodological research. A SWAT reporting template and a database of researchers willing to peer review SWATs are also needed to improve the reporting of SWATs.

Discussion
There is a need to develop a strategy to aid teams to identify a suitable SWAT for their host trial populations and a mechanism to communicate SWAT research priorities. Work is needed to increase the awareness of the methodological importance of SWAT research with research teams and develop engagement strategies to increase SWAT activity. Continued collaboration with the HRA is necessary to refine the SWAT approvals process.

Conclusion
The coordination PROMETHEUS provided is crucial to increasing the recruitment retention evidence base. The Trial Forge Network will be key to provide ongoing networking and dissemination opportunities.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)100-106
Number of pages7
JournalResearch Methods in Medicine & Health Sciences
Volume3
Issue number4
Early online date10 Jun 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Medical Research Council MR/R013748/1 and the National Institute Health (NIHR) (award ID: NIHR132547).

Keywords

  • study within a trial
  • methodological
  • recruitment and retention
  • research designs and methods
  • randomised controlled trial

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