In-depth qualitative interviews identified barriers and facilitators that influenced chief investigators' use of core outcome sets in randomised controlled trials
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Updated: Oct 10, 2025

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Karen L Hughes1, Paula R Williamson1, Bridget Young2
1MRC-NIHR Trials Methodology Research Partnership, Department for Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Block F Waterhouse Building, 1-5 Brownlow Street, Liverpool L69 3GL, United Kingdom.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate barriers and facilitators to core outcome set (COS) uptake in randomized controlled trials to inform the first steps in developing interventions to improve the uptake of COS.
Study Design And Setting:
Semi-structured qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of United Kingdom chief investigators were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. Where appropriate, barriers and facilitators were mapped to components of behavior informed by the COM-B model of behavior.
Results:
Thirteen chief investigators were interviewed. Facilitators to uptake included: the behavior of investigators, for example, their awareness and understanding of COS; and the wider research system, for example, recommendations to use COS from funders and journals. Barriers to uptake included: the perceived characteristics of COS, for example, increasing patient burden and recommendations becoming outdated; and the COS development process, for example, not including all specialties who will use the COS.
Conclusion:
Based on the barriers and facilitators identified, recommendations to improve COS uptake include ensuring engagement with the research community who will use the COS, involving patients in the development of COS and ensuring COS remain up to date.
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