Blog

In this blog, collection advisor, Sandra Galvin, Programme Manager at Health Research Board-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) introduces us to HRB-TMRN, what it does and its aim to improve the conduct and reporting of randomised trials in Ireland.

To help achieve this, HRB-TMRN have a collection on HRB Open Research to highlight HRB-TMRN funded outputs. Sandra tells us more about the recently launched collection, which welcomes different article types in the area of trial methodology.

Influencing patient care

The conduct of randomised trials needs to become more efficient and effective if they are to lead to successful and effective patient care. To do this, the right trials need to be chosen, implemented and reported in the best way.

The HRB-TMRN is a collaborative initiative between a number of Irish and international higher education institutes and methodology centres. Its mission is to strengthen the methodology and reporting of trials in health and social care in Ireland so that they become more relevant, accessible and influential for patients and other service users, practitioners, policy makers and the public.

The HRB-TMRN is actively involved in primary trial methodology research projects, and also directly funds network members to carry out studies within a trial (SWATs), which are specifically related to improving the conduct, analysis, reporting and dissemination of randomised trials. The network also expands its research portfolio by developing new collaborations to strengthen grant applications, and is named in several grants as a research support infrastructure, where primary trial methodology has been embedded.

Keeping you up to date on trial methodology 

Since 2014 the HRB-TMRN has actively engaged with trialists to firstly create a greater awareness of the importance of trial methodology but also encourage trialists to champion this research area and drive advances in this area within randomised trials nationally. 

Here is a list of practical resources and support offered by the HRB-TMRN:

• The provision of training and education at venues nationally from international experts in trial methodology. To date the network has welcomed over 11,000 delegates to its events.
• Involvement in grant proposals (including feasibility and definitive intervention applications) as Co-applicant, Collaborator and / or as Infrastructure Support, embedding primary methodology research within proposals, which is cost effective and adds value to your proposal.
• Access to an experienced qualitative methods research team (QUESTS) for embedding qualitative research in your trials.
• Significant expertise in the development of core outcome datasets and studies within a trial (SWATs).
• Support and advice on the challenging aspects of trial methodology with expertise across several areas including trial design and analysis, reporting and dissemination of findings and health economic evaluation.

Reducing research waste on trial studies

The HRB Open Research publication model allows for papers to be published in a timely fashion and in a transparent way, but importantly it also ensures that papers are available to view regardless of the results. Particularly in the area of clinical trials, it is widely recognised that too many trials go unreported for a variety of reasons.

This new, open and inclusive publication platform means that researchers can:

1) guarantee that their work gets seen, allowing smaller studies to be published

2) help improve publication of negative or null result research, which can be critical in informing future research agendas and reduce research waste

3) allows for greater recognition of reviewers’ contributions and transparency around reviewer feedback.

Sharing the results of clinical trials

There are many aspects of randomised trials which require optimising through advancing the methods that are commonly used. An area of increased interest centres on the recognition that trial participants should be sent the findings of the trial when it finishes, but there is a lack of clarity around the best way to do this, and what method would help improve patient understanding of the results.

The recent study by Racine et al. demonstrates a process for conducting public and patient involvement in the clinical trial setting to investigate whether this approach improves patient understanding of the trial results. This research showcases the benefits of the Study Within a Trial (SWAT) process, which is a study design for embedding a trial within a larger trial, to address a methodological research question. The HRB-TMRN offers an annual SWAT award of up to €25,000 and welcomes submission for our 2020 award.

If your research is funded by HRB-TMRN and you are interested in submitting to the HRB-TMRN collection please submit here– we’d love to feature your work!