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Using the Clinical Research Network for psychosocial cancer research: lessons learned from two observational studies
Penny Wright1, Deborah Fenlon2, Helen Jones1
1Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group, Leeds Institute for Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Background:
Patient recruitment to psychosocial oncology research has increased but the many studies have been single-site or small-scale. The National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network, supports National Institute for Health Research portfolio studies through provision of research staff for recruitment and follow-up. These studies are usually clinical trials of an investigational medicinal product. Psychosocial researchers have little used this resource.
Process:
We report the processes followed and experiences of two psychosocial research teams who recently used the Clinical Research Network, to undertake patient recruitment to two prospective observational studies: electronic Patient-reported Outcomes from Cancer Survivors study (ePOCS) and the ColoREctal Wellbeing study (CREW). Both research groups employed different approaches to using Clinical Research Network support.
Outcomes:
ePOCS secured Comprehensive Local Research Networks funding to appoint ePOCS-specific study research nurses. CREW obtained research support through the National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network. Recruitment targets were met (ePOCS n=636; CREW n=1055) despite logistical, administrative and bureaucratic challenges in setting up the studies. Research nurses feedback was mainly positive (ePOCS study only). Top tips for establishing and running psychosocial studies with Clinical Research Network staff are provided and suggestions given for advancing multicentre complex psychosocial studies.
Conclusions:
Some challenges were similar to those in delivery of clinical trials of an investigational medicinal product. The pros and cons of being involved in ePOCS from the research nurse perspective are also described. Overall the approaches used were successful with both studies reaching their recruitment targets.
Insights
Two psychosocial oncology research teams successfully utilized the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network for patient recruitment, meeting targets despite challenges. This demonstrates a viable strategy for large-scale psychosocial studies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Health Services Research
- Psychosocial Research
Background:
- Patient recruitment for psychosocial oncology research has historically been limited to single-site or small-scale studies.
- The National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) supports portfolio studies, primarily clinical trials of investigational medicinal products.
- Psychosocial researchers have underutilized the NIHR CRN resource for patient recruitment and follow-up.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the processes and experiences of two psychosocial research teams using the NIHR CRN for patient recruitment.
- To evaluate different approaches to leveraging NIHR CRN support in psychosocial research.
- To identify challenges and best practices for conducting large-scale, multi-center psychosocial studies.
Main Methods:
- Two prospective observational studies, the electronic Patient-reported Outcomes from Cancer Survivors (ePOCS) and the ColoREctal Wellbeing (CREW) study, utilized NIHR CRN support.
- The ePOCS team secured funding for dedicated research nurses, while the CREW team received support through the NIHR CRN.
- Both teams navigated logistical, administrative, and bureaucratic challenges during study setup.
Main Results:
- Recruitment targets were successfully met for both studies: ePOCS (n=636) and CREW (n=1055).
- Research nurse feedback for the ePOCS study was predominantly positive.
- Challenges encountered were comparable to those in clinical trials of investigational medicinal products.
Conclusions:
- The utilization of the NIHR CRN by psychosocial research teams proved successful in achieving recruitment goals.
- The experiences highlight the potential for expanding the scale and reach of psychosocial oncology research.
- Recommendations and "top tips" are provided for optimizing the use of CRN resources in complex psychosocial studies.
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