Do investigator meetings improve recruitment rates in clinical trials? A retrospective before-and-after study of data from nine multi-centre clinical trials
Abstract Background Poor recruitment in clinical trials is well-documented. In large, multi-centre trials, communication between the coordinating centre and trial sites is essential. A commonly used communication tool is the hosting of an investigator/collaborator meeting, which offers an opportunit...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2020-06-01
|
| Series: | Trials |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-020-04465-1 |
| _version_ | 1818504917930737664 |
|---|---|
| author | E. J. Mitchell P. J. Godolphin G. Meakin K. Sprange |
| author_facet | E. J. Mitchell P. J. Godolphin G. Meakin K. Sprange |
| author_sort | E. J. Mitchell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Poor recruitment in clinical trials is well-documented. In large, multi-centre trials, communication between the coordinating centre and trial sites is essential. A commonly used communication tool is the hosting of an investigator/collaborator meeting, which offers an opportunity for sites to re-train and receive trial updates, learn from each other, share best practice and troubleshoot issues. Anecdotally, there is a perception that recruitment rates may increase after holding such a meeting. The aim of this before-and-after study was to examine any changes in recruitment after an investigator meeting. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of nine trials at the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU) that were open to recruitment between 2014 and 2018. In the 8 weeks prior to the date of the investigator meeting, 82 sites (across nine trials) were open to recruitment; 60 of which attended the meeting, 22 who did not. Using meeting attendance data available in Trial Master Files (TMF) and recruitment data from randomisation datasets, we examined recruitment rates in the 8 weeks prior to and following the date of the investigator meeting. Results For the 82 sites included, 284 participants were recruited in the 8 weeks prior to the meeting, with a further 300 participants recruited in the 8 weeks post meeting. This gives a mean change in weekly recruitment of 0.073 (− 0.129, 0.275) per site, demonstrating no statistically significant increase in recruitment after the investigator meeting. For the 60 attending sites, recruitment increased from 254 participants prior to the meeting to 271 post meeting, giving a 0.100 (− 0.160, 0.360) mean change in weekly recruitment per site, providing no evidence that recruitment rates increase following an investigator meeting. Conclusion There is no statistical evidence to conclude that holding an investigator meeting increases recruitment in the 8 weeks following the meeting. Thus, if the meeting has been held in the belief that it will have a positive impact upon recruitment, trialists may wish to consider other evidence-based strategies known to increase recruitment rates. However, since there are a variety of reasons why an investigator meeting may be held, trialists should continue to consider this as a communication strategy with sites. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:43:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-62f3610c4ac440ce91b648bd96695346 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1745-6215 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:43:42Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Trials |
| spelling | doaj.art-62f3610c4ac440ce91b648bd966953462022-12-22T01:32:26ZengBMCTrials1745-62152020-06-012111710.1186/s13063-020-04465-1Do investigator meetings improve recruitment rates in clinical trials? A retrospective before-and-after study of data from nine multi-centre clinical trialsE. J. Mitchell0P. J. Godolphin1G. Meakin2K. Sprange3Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, University ParkMRC Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, Institute of Clinical Trials and MethodologyNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, University ParkNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, University ParkAbstract Background Poor recruitment in clinical trials is well-documented. In large, multi-centre trials, communication between the coordinating centre and trial sites is essential. A commonly used communication tool is the hosting of an investigator/collaborator meeting, which offers an opportunity for sites to re-train and receive trial updates, learn from each other, share best practice and troubleshoot issues. Anecdotally, there is a perception that recruitment rates may increase after holding such a meeting. The aim of this before-and-after study was to examine any changes in recruitment after an investigator meeting. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of nine trials at the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU) that were open to recruitment between 2014 and 2018. In the 8 weeks prior to the date of the investigator meeting, 82 sites (across nine trials) were open to recruitment; 60 of which attended the meeting, 22 who did not. Using meeting attendance data available in Trial Master Files (TMF) and recruitment data from randomisation datasets, we examined recruitment rates in the 8 weeks prior to and following the date of the investigator meeting. Results For the 82 sites included, 284 participants were recruited in the 8 weeks prior to the meeting, with a further 300 participants recruited in the 8 weeks post meeting. This gives a mean change in weekly recruitment of 0.073 (− 0.129, 0.275) per site, demonstrating no statistically significant increase in recruitment after the investigator meeting. For the 60 attending sites, recruitment increased from 254 participants prior to the meeting to 271 post meeting, giving a 0.100 (− 0.160, 0.360) mean change in weekly recruitment per site, providing no evidence that recruitment rates increase following an investigator meeting. Conclusion There is no statistical evidence to conclude that holding an investigator meeting increases recruitment in the 8 weeks following the meeting. Thus, if the meeting has been held in the belief that it will have a positive impact upon recruitment, trialists may wish to consider other evidence-based strategies known to increase recruitment rates. However, since there are a variety of reasons why an investigator meeting may be held, trialists should continue to consider this as a communication strategy with sites.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-020-04465-1RecruitmentInvestigator meetingClinical trial |
| spellingShingle | E. J. Mitchell P. J. Godolphin G. Meakin K. Sprange Do investigator meetings improve recruitment rates in clinical trials? A retrospective before-and-after study of data from nine multi-centre clinical trials Trials Recruitment Investigator meeting Clinical trial |
| title | Do investigator meetings improve recruitment rates in clinical trials? A retrospective before-and-after study of data from nine multi-centre clinical trials |
| title_full | Do investigator meetings improve recruitment rates in clinical trials? A retrospective before-and-after study of data from nine multi-centre clinical trials |
| title_fullStr | Do investigator meetings improve recruitment rates in clinical trials? A retrospective before-and-after study of data from nine multi-centre clinical trials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Do investigator meetings improve recruitment rates in clinical trials? A retrospective before-and-after study of data from nine multi-centre clinical trials |
| title_short | Do investigator meetings improve recruitment rates in clinical trials? A retrospective before-and-after study of data from nine multi-centre clinical trials |
| title_sort | do investigator meetings improve recruitment rates in clinical trials a retrospective before and after study of data from nine multi centre clinical trials |
| topic | Recruitment Investigator meeting Clinical trial |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-020-04465-1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ejmitchell doinvestigatormeetingsimproverecruitmentratesinclinicaltrialsaretrospectivebeforeandafterstudyofdatafromninemulticentreclinicaltrials AT pjgodolphin doinvestigatormeetingsimproverecruitmentratesinclinicaltrialsaretrospectivebeforeandafterstudyofdatafromninemulticentreclinicaltrials AT gmeakin doinvestigatormeetingsimproverecruitmentratesinclinicaltrialsaretrospectivebeforeandafterstudyofdatafromninemulticentreclinicaltrials AT ksprange doinvestigatormeetingsimproverecruitmentratesinclinicaltrialsaretrospectivebeforeandafterstudyofdatafromninemulticentreclinicaltrials |