Can we achieve better trial recruitment by presenting patient information through multimedia? Meta-analysis of ‘studies within a trial’ (SWATs)
Vichithranie W. Madurasinghe,
Peter Knapp,
Sandra Eldridge,
David Collier,
Shaun Treweek,
Jo Rick,
Jonathan Graffy,
Adwoa Parker,
Chris Salisbury,
David Torgerson,
Kate Jolly,
Manbinder S. Sidhu,
Christopher Fife-Schaw,
Mark A. Hull,
Kirsty Sprange,
Elizabeth Brettell,
Sunil Bhandari,
Alan Montgomery,
Peter Bower
Affiliations
Vichithranie W. Madurasinghe
Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford
Peter Knapp
Department of Health Sciences, University of York & the Hull York Medical School
Sandra Eldridge
Centre for Clinical Trials and Methodology, Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London
David Collier
Barts NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Shaun Treweek
Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen
Jo Rick
National Institute of Health Research School for Primary Care Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Centre for Primary Care, University of Manchester
Jonathan Graffy
General Practitioner Arbury Road Surgery 114
Adwoa Parker
York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York
Chris Salisbury
Centre for Academic Primary Care, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol
David Torgerson
Department of Health Sciences, University of York
Kate Jolly
Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham
Manbinder S. Sidhu
Health Services Management Centre, School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham
Christopher Fife-Schaw
University of Surrey
Mark A. Hull
Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds
Kirsty Sprange
Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham
Elizabeth Brettell
Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Birmingham
Sunil Bhandari
Department of Renal Medicine, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and Hull York Medical School
Alan Montgomery
Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham
Peter Bower
NIHR School for Primary Care Research, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester
Abstract Background People need high-quality information to make decisions about research participation. Providing information in written format alone is conventional but may not be the most effective and acceptable approach. We developed a structure for the presentation of information using multimedia which included generic and trial-specific content. Our aim was to embed ‘Studies Within A Trial’ (SWATs) across multiple ongoing trials to test whether multimedia presentation of patient information led to better rates of recruitment. Methods Five trials included a SWAT and randomised their participants to receive a multimedia presentation alongside standard information, or standard written information alone. We collected data on trial recruitment, acceptance and retention and analysed the pooled results using random effects meta-analysis, with the primary outcome defined as the proportion of participants randomised following an invitation to take part. Results Five SWATs provided data on the primary outcome of proportion of participants randomised. Multimedia alongside written information results in little or no difference in recruitment rates (pooled odds ratio = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.17, p-value = 0.671, I 2 = 0%). There was no effect on any other outcomes. Conclusions Multimedia alongside written information did not improve trial recruitment rates. Trial registration ISRCTN71952900, ISRCTN 06710391, ISRCTN 17160087, ISRCTN05926847, ISRCTN62869767.
