Abstract
Background:Protocols are an essential document for conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs).However, the completeness of the information provided is often inadequate. To help improve the content of trial protocols, an international group of stakeholders published the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) Initiative in 2013. Presently, there is increasing use of cohorts and routinely collected data (RCD) for RCTs because these data have the potential to improve efficiencies by facilitating recruitment, simplifying,and reducing the cost of data collection. Reporting guidelines have been shown to improve the quality of reporting, but there is currently no specific SPIRIT guidance on protocols for trials conducted using cohorts and RCD. This protocol outlines steps fordevelopingSPIRIT-ROUTINE,which aims to address this gap by extending the SPIRIT guidance to protocols for trials conducted using cohorts and RCD. Methods:The development of the SPIRIT-ROUTINE extension comprises five stages. Stage 1 consists of a project launch and a meeting to finalise the membership of the steering group and scope of the extension. In Stage 2, a rapid review will be performed to identify possible modifications to the original SPIRIT 2013 checklist. Other key reporting guidelines will be reviewed to identify areas where additional items may be needed,such as theConsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials(CONSORT)extension fortrialsconductedusingcohorts andRCD(CONSORT-ROUTINE). Stage 3 will involve an online Delphi exercise, consisting of two rounds and involving key international stakeholders to gather feedback on the preliminary checklistitems. In Stage 4, a consensus meeting of the SPIRIT-ROUTINE steering group will finalise the items to include in the extension. Stage 5 will involve the publication preparation and dissemination of the final checklist. Conclusion:The SPIRIT-ROUTINE extension will contribute to improving design of trials using cohorts and RCD and transparency of reporting.
Highlights
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the gold standard for the conduct of clinical research, have revolutionised the way that care is delivered to patients[1,2]
In an effort to improve trial reporting quality, an international group of stakeholders launched the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) Initiative in 2013 to provide evidence-based recommendations for the minimum set of items that need to be included in trial protocols
Stage 1 consists of a project launch meeting to specify and finalise the scope of the extension and definition of cohorts and routinely collected data (RCD)
Summary
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the gold standard for the conduct of clinical research, have revolutionised the way that care is delivered to patients[1,2]. The SPIRIT guidance has been instrumental in promoting high quality and transparent reporting of evaluations of interventions[12]. It provides the minimum guidance applicable for all clinical trial interventions and recognises that certain interventions may require extension or expansion of these items[9,10,12]. There is increasing interest and use of cohorts and RCD in RCTs because these data sources have the potential to improve efficiencies by facilitating recruitment, simplifying and reducing the cost of assessment of outcome measures and improving the applicability of trial findings[15].
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