Trials within trials of interventions to improve recruitment and retention: the experience of York Trials Unit

Abstract

Results Of the 20 trials undertaken 8 were of interventions to enhance recruitment and 12 were of attrition reduction. For the recruitment strategies different information methods (6) were the most common with trial co-ordinator visit and different envelope colours being the other interventions. For the 12 attrition prevention trials 4 were of electronic reminders, 2 of newsletters, 4 were of post-it notes, 1 was of a free pen, and 1 was of offer of trial results. Currently, we have found that electronic reminders and participant newsletters for retention are effective and these are now being routinely included in our trials. Most of our trials were ‘unfunded’ and consequently the interventions tended to be inexpensive. The benefits of doing embedded trials include: improved knowledge and early publications for the trial co-ordinators. Some Chief Investigators can be hostile viewing them as a ‘nuisance’ but with discussion most reasonable investigators can be persuaded. Conclusion If all trials units did two ‘trials within a trial’ per year then the evidence base would be doubled within a year.