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Dickert NW. Evolving Understanding of Patients' Experiences in Acute Care Trials Without Prospective Consent. Crit Care Med 2024; 52:839-842. [PMID: 38619341 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000006221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Neal W Dickert
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory Health Services Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
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Merz JF. A response to Al et al. Trials 2023;24:233. Trials 2023; 24:525. [PMID: 37574550 PMCID: PMC10424340 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07574-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In their recent paper, Al and colleagues (Trials 2023;24:233) argue that manipulation of the methods of recruitment using well-known techniques in order to increase enrollment can be ethically acceptable. This brief response challenges that notion as an affront to voluntariness and a devolution of the ethics of human subjects research to the "ethics" of the marketplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon F Merz
- Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall 1427, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4884, USA.
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Chen D, Shepherd L. Is There a Doctor in the House? Am J Bioeth 2023; 23:47-50. [PMID: 37450521 PMCID: PMC10494221 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2023.2217148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Donna Chen
- Center for Health Humanities and Ethics, University of Virginia School of Medicine
| | - Lois Shepherd
- Center for Health Humanities and Ethics, University of Virginia School of Medicine
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Dhamanaskar R, Feldman WB, Merz JF. Practicalities of Impracticability: An Interim Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics 2022; 17:329-345. [PMID: 35440213 DOI: 10.1177/15562646221092663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Impracticability is an ethical standard for waiver of informed consent in research. We examine how well the criterion of impracticability appears to have been fulfilled in a set of 36 completed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that secured consent from some subjects or LARs and employed waivers to enroll others. These trials were identified among 155 RCTs using waivers of consent in a convenience sample drawn from 7 systematic reviews. Recruitment data were available for 19 of the 36 trials, revealing an average of 41.6% of subjects (range 0.2-98.7%, 95% CI: 24.8-58.4%) were enrolled without consent. Six trials enrolled less than 10% of subjects without consent and an overlapping set of 9 trials sought consent from all subjects or LARs at some sites while waiving consent at other sites. We question whether these trials were practicable without waivers and identify issues for consideration by investigators and ethics review boards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roma Dhamanaskar
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, 152969McMaster University Medical Centre, 1280 Main Street West, 2C Area, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - William B Feldman
- Program on Regulation, Therapeutics, and Law, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, 1861Brigham and Women's Hospital, 1620 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120, USA
| | - Jon F Merz
- Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy, 14640Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall Floor 14, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4884, USA
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Merz JF. The difference between withdrawal and refusal of consent in trials. Resuscitation 2021; 169:41-42. [PMID: 34666127 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jon F Merz
- Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall 1427, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4884, United States.
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Dickert NW, Metz K, Fetters MD, Haggins AN, Harney DK, Speight CD, Silbergleit R. Meeting unique requirements: Community consultation and public disclosure for research in emergency setting using exception from informed consent. Acad Emerg Med 2021; 28:1183-1194. [PMID: 33872426 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exception from informed consent (EFIC) regulations for research in emergency settings contain unique requirements for community consultation and public disclosure. These requirements address ethical challenges intrinsic to this research context. Multiple approaches have evolved to accomplish these activities that may reflect and advance different aims. This scoping review was designed to identify areas of consensus and lingering uncertainty in the literature. METHODS Scoping review methodology was used. Conceptual and empirical literature related to community consultation and public disclosure for EFIC research was included and identified through a structured search using Embase, HEIN Online, PubMed, and Web of Science. Data were extracted using a standardized tool with domains for major literature categories. RESULTS Among 84 manuscripts, major domains included conceptual or policy issues, reports of community consultation processes and results, and reports of public disclosure processes and results. Areas of consensus related to community consultation included the need for a two-way exchange of information and use of multiple methods. Public acceptance of personal EFIC enrollment is commonly 64% to 85%. There is less consensus regarding how to assess attitudes, what "communities" to prioritize, and how to determine adequacy for individual projects. Core goals of public disclosure are less well developed; no metrics exist for assessing adequacy. CONCLUSIONS Multiple methods are used to meet community consultation and public disclosure requirements. There remain no settled norms for assessing adequacy of public disclosure, and there is lingering debate about needed breadth and depth of community consultation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal W. Dickert
- Department of Medicine Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USA
- Department of Epidemiology Emory University Rollins School of Public Health Atlanta Georgia USA
| | - Kathleen Metz
- Department of Medicine Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USA
| | - Michael D. Fetters
- Mixed Methods Program and Department of Family Medicine University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Adrianne N. Haggins
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Deneil K. Harney
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Candace D. Speight
- Department of Medicine Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USA
| | - Robert Silbergleit
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor Michigan USA
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Nichol G, Zhuang R, Russell R, Holcomb JB, Kudenchuk PJ, Aufderheide TP, Morrison L, Sugarman J, Ornato JP, Callaway CW, Vaillancourt C, Bulger E, Christenson J, Daya MR, Schreiber M, Idris A, Podbielski JM, Sopko G, Wang H, Wade CE, Hoyt D, Weisfeldt ML, May S. Variation in time to notification of enrollment and rates of withdrawal in resuscitation trials conducted under exception from informed consent. Resuscitation 2021; 168:160-166. [PMID: 34384820 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Emergency research is challenging to do well as it involves time sensitive interventions in unstable patients. There is limited time to obtain informed consent from the patient or their legally authorized representative (LAR). Such research is permitted under exception from informed consent (EFIC) if specific criteria are met, including notification after enrollment. Some question whether the risks of EFIC outweighs its benefits. To date, there is limited empiric information about time to notification (TTN) and rates of withdrawal in such trials. OBJECTIVE To describe variation in TTN and rates of withdrawal among that patients enrolled in EFIC trials over a twelve-year period. DESIGN We performed post hoc descriptive analyses of data from five trials conducted under EFIC. SETTING Emergency medical services and receiving hospitals participating in the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium in the United States and Canada. PARTICIPANTS Patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest or life-threatening traumatic injury. EXPOSURES Notification strategies were specified at each site before initiation of enrollment by a local institutional review board. We monitored TTN within each site centrally throughout each study's enrollment period. OUTCOMES TTN was defined as time from randomization to first-reported notification of patient or LAR of enrollment. Withdrawal was defined as patient or LAR opt out of ongoing participation at the time of notification. RESULTS Of 35,442 patients enrolled in five trials, 33,805 had cardiac arrest; and 1636 had traumatic injury. TTN varied overall and by patient outcome. Among those with cardiac arrest, TTN ranged from median (5%ile, 95%ile) of 6 (1,27) days to 28 (2, 53) days across sites. 0.3% of notified patients with cardiac arrest withdrew. Among those with traumatic injury, TTN ranged from 0 (0, 5) days to 36 (5, 68) days across sites. 7.7% of notified patients with traumatic injury withdrew. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE There is large variation in TTN in trials conducted under EFIC for emergency research. This may be due to several factors. It may or may not be modifiable. Overall rates of withdrawal are low, which suggests current practices related to EFIC are acceptable to those who have participated in emergency research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Nichol
- University of Washington-Harborview Center for Prehospital Emergency Care, Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
| | - Rui Zhuang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Renee Russell
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - John B Holcomb
- Center for Injury Science, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Peter J Kudenchuk
- King County EMS and Departments of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Tom P Aufderheide
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Laurie Morrison
- Rescu, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ottawa, ON and Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jeremy Sugarman
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Department of Medicine and Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joseph P Ornato
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Health, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Clifton W Callaway
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Christian Vaillancourt
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, United States
| | - Eileen Bulger
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jim Christenson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Providence Health Care Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, United States
| | - Mohamud R Daya
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Marty Schreiber
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Ahamed Idris
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Jeanette M Podbielski
- Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - George Sopko
- National Heart Lung Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Henry Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Charles E Wade
- Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - David Hoyt
- American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Myron L Weisfeldt
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Susanne May
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Perkins GD, Ji C, Achana F, Black JJ, Charlton K, Crawford J, de Paeztron A, Deakin C, Docherty M, Finn J, Fothergill RT, Gates S, Gunson I, Han K, Hennings S, Horton J, Khan K, Lamb S, Long J, Miller J, Moore F, Nolan J, O'Shea L, Petrou S, Pocock H, Quinn T, Rees N, Regan S, Rosser A, Scomparin C, Slowther A, Lall R. Adrenaline to improve survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: the PARAMEDIC2 RCT. Health Technol Assess 2021; 25:1-166. [PMID: 33861194 DOI: 10.3310/hta25250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenaline has been used as a treatment for cardiac arrest for many years, despite uncertainty about its effects on long-term outcomes and concerns that it may cause worse neurological outcomes. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to evaluate the effects of adrenaline on survival and neurological outcomes, and to assess the cost-effectiveness of adrenaline use. DESIGN This was a pragmatic, randomised, allocation-concealed, placebo-controlled, parallel-group superiority trial and economic evaluation. Costs are expressed in Great British pounds and reported in 2016/17 prices. SETTING This trial was set in five NHS ambulance services in England and Wales. PARTICIPANTS Adults treated for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were included. Patients were ineligible if they were pregnant, if they were aged < 16 years, if the cardiac arrest had been caused by anaphylaxis or life-threatening asthma, or if adrenaline had already been given. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomised to either adrenaline (1 mg) or placebo in a 1 : 1 allocation ratio by the opening of allocation-concealed treatment packs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was survival to 30 days. The secondary outcomes were survival to hospital admission, survival to hospital discharge, survival at 3, 6 and 12 months, neurological outcomes and health-related quality of life through to 6 months. The economic evaluation assessed the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained from the perspective of the NHS and Personal Social Services. Participants, clinical teams and those assessing patient outcomes were masked to the treatment allocation. RESULTS From December 2014 to October 2017, 8014 participants were assigned to the adrenaline (n = 4015) or to the placebo (n = 3999) arm. At 30 days, 130 out of 4012 participants (3.2%) in the adrenaline arm and 94 out of 3995 (2.4%) in the placebo arm were alive (adjusted odds ratio for survival 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.97). For secondary outcomes, survival to hospital admission was higher for those receiving adrenaline than for those receiving placebo (23.6% vs. 8.0%; adjusted odds ratio 3.83, 95% confidence interval 3.30 to 4.43). The rate of favourable neurological outcome at hospital discharge was not significantly different between the arms (2.2% vs. 1.9%; adjusted odds ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 1.68). The pattern of improved survival but no significant improvement in neurological outcomes continued through to 6 months. By 12 months, survival in the adrenaline arm was 2.7%, compared with 2.0% in the placebo arm (adjusted odds ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.92). An adjusted subgroup analysis did not identify significant interactions. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for adrenaline was estimated at £1,693,003 per quality-adjusted life-year gained over the first 6 months after the cardiac arrest event and £81,070 per quality-adjusted life-year gained over the lifetime of survivors. Additional economic analyses estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for adrenaline at £982,880 per percentage point increase in overall survival and £377,232 per percentage point increase in neurological outcomes over the first 6 months after the cardiac arrest. LIMITATIONS The estimate for survival with a favourable neurological outcome is imprecise because of the small numbers of patients surviving with a good outcome. CONCLUSIONS Adrenaline improved long-term survival, but there was no evidence that it significantly improved neurological outcomes. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per quality-adjusted life-year exceeds the threshold of £20,000-30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year usually supported by the NHS. FUTURE WORK Further research is required to better understand patients' preferences in relation to survival and neurological outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and to aid interpretation of the trial findings from a patient and public perspective. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73485024 and EudraCT 2014-000792-11. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 25. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin D Perkins
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,Heartlands Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Chen Ji
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Felix Achana
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - John Jm Black
- South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Bicester, UK
| | - Karl Charlton
- North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - James Crawford
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Adam de Paeztron
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Mark Docherty
- West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust, Brierley Hill, UK
| | - Judith Finn
- Prehospital, Resuscitation and Emergency Care Research Unit (PRECRU), Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Simon Gates
- Cancer Research Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Imogen Gunson
- West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust, Brierley Hill, UK
| | - Kyee Han
- North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Susie Hennings
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Jessica Horton
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Kamran Khan
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Sarah Lamb
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - John Long
- Patient and Public Involvement Representative, Warwick, UK
| | - Joshua Miller
- West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust, Brierley Hill, UK
| | - Fionna Moore
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Crawley, UK
| | - Jerry Nolan
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, UK
| | | | - Stavros Petrou
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Helen Pocock
- South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Bicester, UK
| | - Tom Quinn
- Emergency, Cardiovascular and Critical Care Research Group, Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston University London and St George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Nigel Rees
- Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, St Asaph, UK
| | - Scott Regan
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Andy Rosser
- West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust, Brierley Hill, UK
| | - Charlotte Scomparin
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Anne Slowther
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Ranjit Lall
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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Lin LY, Jochym N, Merz JF. Refusal rates and waivers of informed consent in pragmatic and comparative effectiveness RCTs: A systematic review. Contemp Clin Trials 2021; 104:106361. [PMID: 33737197 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2021.106361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pragmatic and comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aim to be highly generalizable studies, with broad applicability and flexibility in methods. These trials also address recruitment issues by minimizing exclusions. The trials may also appeal to potential subjects because of lower risk and lower burdens of participation. We sought to examine rates of refusal and uses of waivers of informed consent in pragmatic and comparative effectiveness RCTs. METHODS A systematic review of pragmatic and comparative effectiveness RCTs performed wholely or in part in the United States and first published in 2014 and 2017. RESULTS 103 studies involving 105 discrete populations were included for review. Refusal data was collected for 71 RCTs. Overall, studies reported an average rate of 31.9% of potential subjects refused participation; on an individual basis, 38.4% of people asked to take part refused at some point during recruitment. 23 trials (22%) were performed, at least in part, with a waiver of informed consent, 7 (30%) of which provided any form of notice to subjects. CONCLUSIONS Overall refusal rates for pragmatic and comparative effectiveness RCTs appear roughly the same as other types of research, with studies reporting about a third of people solicited for participation refuse. Moreover, informed consent was waived in 22% (95% Binomial exact Confidence Interval 13.9-30.5%) of the trials, and further study is needed to understand when waivers are justified and when notice should be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Y Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America.
| | - Nicole Jochym
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, 401 South Broadway, Camden, NJ 08103, United States of America
| | - Jon F Merz
- Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall 1427, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4884, United States of America.
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Taljaard M, Goldstein CE, Giraudeau B, Nicholls SG, Carroll K, Hey SP, Brehaut JC, Jairath V, London AJ, Eldridge SM, Grimshaw JM, Fergusson DA, Weijer C. Cluster over individual randomization: are study design choices appropriately justified? Review of a random sample of trials. Clin Trials 2020; 17:253-263. [DOI: 10.1177/1740774519896799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background: Novel rationales for randomizing clusters rather than individuals appear to be emerging from the push for more pragmatic trials, for example, to facilitate trial recruitment, reduce the costs of research, and improve external validity. Such rationales may be driven by a mistaken perception that choosing cluster randomization lessens the need for informed consent. We reviewed a random sample of published cluster randomized trials involving only individual-level health care interventions to determine (a) the prevalence of reporting a rationale for the choice of cluster randomization; (b) the types of explicit, or if absent, apparent rationales for the use of cluster randomization; (c) the prevalence of reporting patient informed consent for study interventions; and (d) the types of justifications provided for waivers of consent. We considered cluster randomized trials for evaluating exclusively the individual-level health care interventions to focus on clinical trials where individual randomization is only theoretically possible and where there is a general expectation of informed consent. Methods: A random sample of 40 cluster randomized trials were identified by implementing a validated electronic search filter in two electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE and Embase), with two reviewers independently extracting information from each trial. Inclusion criteria were the following: primary report of a cluster randomized trial, evaluating exclusively an individual-level health care intervention, published between 2007 and 2016, and conducted in Canada, the United States, European Union, Australia, or low- and middle-income country settings. Results: Twenty-five trials (62.5%, 95% confidence interval = 47.5%–77.5%) reported an explicit rationale for the use of cluster randomization. The most commonly reported rationales were those with logistical or administrative convenience (15 trials, 60%) and those that need to avoid contamination (13 trials, 52%); five trials (20%) were cited rationales related to the push for more pragmatic trials. Twenty-one trials (52.5%, 95% confidence interval = 37%–68%) reported written informed consent for the intervention, two (5%) reported verbal consent, and eight (20%) reported waivers of consent, while in nine trials (22.5%) consent was unclear or not mentioned. Reported justifications for waivers of consent included that study interventions were already used in clinical practice, patients were not randomized individually, and the need to facilitate the pragmatic nature of the trial. Only one trial reported an explicit and appropriate justification for waiver of consent based on minimum criteria in international research ethics guidelines, namely, infeasibility and minimal risk. Conclusion: Rationales for adopting cluster over individual randomization and for adopting consent waivers are emerging, related to the need to facilitate pragmatic trials. Greater attention to clear reporting of study design rationales, informed consent procedures, as well as justification for waivers is needed to ensure that such trials meet appropriate ethical standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Taljaard
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Cory E Goldstein
- Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Bruno Giraudeau
- Université de Tours, Université de Nantes, INSERM, SPHERE U1246, Tours, France
- INSERM CIC1415, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Stuart G Nicholls
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kelly Carroll
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Spencer Phillips Hey
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jamie C Brehaut
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vipul Jairath
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alex John London
- Department of Philosophy and Center for Ethics and Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sandra M Eldridge
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jeremy M Grimshaw
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dean A Fergusson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Charles Weijer
- Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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11
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Nicholls SG, Carroll K, Zwarenstein M, Brehaut JC, Weijer C, Hey SP, Goldstein CE, Graham ID, Grimshaw JM, McKenzie JE, Fergusson DA, Taljaard M. The ethical challenges raised in the design and conduct of pragmatic trials: an interview study with key stakeholders. Trials 2019; 20:765. [PMID: 31870433 PMCID: PMC6929346 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3899-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a concern that the apparent effectiveness of interventions tested in clinical trials may not be an accurate reflection of their actual effectiveness in usual practice. Pragmatic randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are designed with the intent of addressing this discrepancy. While pragmatic RCTs may increase the relevance of research findings to practice they may also raise new ethical concerns (even while reducing others). To explore this question, we interviewed key stakeholders with the aim of identifying potential ethical challenges in the design and conduct of pragmatic RCTs with a view to developing future guidance on these issues. Methods Interviews were conducted with clinical investigators, methodologists, patient partners, ethicists, and other knowledge users (e.g., regulators). Interviews covered experiences with pragmatic RCTs, ethical issues relevant to pragmatic RCTs, and perspectives on the appropriate oversight of pragmatic RCTs. Interviews were coded inductively by two coders. Interim and final analyses were presented to the broader team for comment and discussion before the analytic framework was finalized. Results We conducted 45 interviews between April and September 2018. Interviewees represented a range of disciplines and jurisdictions as well as varying content expertise. Issues of importance in pragmatic RCTs were (1) identification of relevant risks from trial participation and determination of what constitutes minimal risk; (2) determining when alterations to traditional informed consent approaches are appropriate; (3) the distinction between research, quality improvement, and practice; (4) the potential for broader populations to be affected by the trial and what protections they might be owed; (5) the broader range of trial stakeholders in pragmatic RCTs, and determining their roles and responsibilities; and (6) determining what constitutes “usual care” and implications for trial reporting. Conclusions Our findings suggest both the need to discuss familiar ethical topics in new ways and that there are new ethical issues in pragmatic RCTs that need greater attention. Addressing the highlighted issues and developing guidance will require multidisciplinary input, including patient and community members, within a broader and more comprehensive analysis that extends beyond consent and attends to the identified considerations relating to risk and stakeholder roles and responsibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart G Nicholls
- Clinical Epidemiology Program-Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Kelly Carroll
- Clinical Epidemiology Program-Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Merrick Zwarenstein
- Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jamie C Brehaut
- Clinical Epidemiology Program-Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Charles Weijer
- Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Spencer P Hey
- Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School and Program on Regulation, Therapeutics, and Law at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cory E Goldstein
- Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ian D Graham
- Clinical Epidemiology Program-Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jeremy M Grimshaw
- Clinical Epidemiology Program-Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Medicine University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), ON, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Joanne E McKenzie
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dean A Fergusson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program-Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Medicine University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), ON, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Monica Taljaard
- Clinical Epidemiology Program-Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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Ballantyne A, Scaefer GO. Taxonomy of justifications for consent waivers: When and why are public views relevant? J Med Ethics 2019; 45:353-354. [PMID: 30862708 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2018-105318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Ballantyne
- Primary Health Care and General Practice, Otago University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - G Owen Scaefer
- Centre For Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Iyiewuare PO, Coulter ID, Whitley MD, Herman PM. Researching the Appropriateness of Care in the Complementary and Integrative Health Professions Part 2: What Every Researcher and Practitioner Should Know About the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and Practice-based Research in the United States. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2018; 41:807-13. [PMID: 30755332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This paper describes a process for ensuring and documenting Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance in clinical practice-based research. METHODS The Center of Excellence for Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine was funded by National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health to develop the methods for researching the appropriateness of care in complementary and integrative health, which previously was known as complementary and alternative medicine. We recruited 125 participating chiropractic clinics for enrolling patients and gathering their data via the online surveys. Chiropractic clinics completed the following: (1) obtained the files of patients who provided prior consent (the prospective sample), (2) obtained the files of the patients selected randomly using specified randomization procedures (the retrospective sample), and (3) transferred all patient data to the RAND Corporation via an encrypted file. RESULTS Most of the doctors of chiropractic from clinical practices had no concerns about obtaining and transferring the files of patients who provided informed consent. However, some doctors were uneasy about allowing the researchers to access the randomly selected files of patients who had not provided prior authorization. This led us to develop a set of forms to provide clinics about HIPAA compliance. CONCLUSION For this study, we provided clinics with information about the rules under HIPAA, demonstrated how the study complied with those rules, explained the logic behind the necessity for collecting files from both the prospective and retrospective samples, and, if requested, provided clinics with a confidentiality agreement signed by the study principal investigator and an organizational contracts representative. The process we developed may assist other complementary and integrative health researchers and practitioners in future studies.
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