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Patient and public involvement in the design of an international clinical trial: real world experience

Lookup NU author(s): Helen Jones, Michelle Bardgett, Dr Arthur PrattORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

© The Author(s) 2024. Background: The value of patient and public involvement (PPI) during the earliest stages of clinical trial development, and prior to the award of substantive funding, is widely recognised. However, it is often under-resourced and PPI processes during this phase are rarely reported in detail. Having benefitted from seed funding to develop an international clinical trial proposal, we sought to describe and appraise PPI activities and processes that support pre-award co-development. Methods: A 12-month “accelerator” award facilitated development of a substantive funding application to deliver the Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention PlatfORm Trial (RAPPORT), conceived to prioritise preventative interventions for people at risk of RA. PPI partners, including individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), RA patients, relatives and members of the public, provided feedback on key trial design issues through online meetings, a feedback form and emails. PPI processes employed during the one-year accelerator project were thereafter evaluated by PPI partners using an anonymous online feedback form with reference to National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) UK standards for public involvement in research. Results: Sixteen out of the 25-strong PPI partner panel completed an online feedback form (64%). Respondents perceived PPI processes positively in relation to all NIHR standard domains. Several key facilitators and challenges were identified, including the need for adequate PPI funding during pre-award phases of research, strategies for creating an inclusive environment, flexibility around levels of involvement, and challenges in achieving representatively diverse participation, and the importance of communicating transparent processes for role-assignment and time-reimbursement. Conclusions: In general, RAPPORT was considered an example of PPI well done, and in line with UK standards for public involvement in research. Facilitators and challenges of relevance for the development of future translational and clinical trial funding applications are highlighted.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Simons G, Jones H, Clarke I, Davies F, Grealis S, Insch E, Kahn H, Lloyd J, Richards A, Rose H, Williams R, de Wit M, Woodcock C, Romaniuk L, Bardgett M, Pratt AG, Falahee M

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Research Involvement and Engagement

Year: 2024

Volume: 10

Online publication date: 06/11/2024

Acceptance date: 07/10/2024

Date deposited: 26/11/2024

ISSN (electronic): 2056-7529

Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd

URL: .https:/doi.org/10.1186/s40900-024-00642-7

DOI: 10.1186/s40900-024-00642-7

Data Access Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy restrictions.


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre
NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Accelerator Award (grant reference NIHR158397)
NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre
Research into inflammatory Arthritis CEntre Versus Arthritis (award reference 22072)

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