Abstract
Background: It is essential to conduct randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of psychological interventions on acute psychiatric wards to build a robust evidence base for clinical practice.
Aims: This paper aims to share strategies from three different inpatient trials which successfully recruited and retained participants, in order to disseminate good practice for the conduct of future trials in this challenging and complex clinical setting.
Method: We present strategies from three inpatient trials of psychological interventions: 1) TULIPS (Talk, Understand, Listen for Inpatient Settings), 2) amBITION (Brief Talking Therapies on Wards), and 3) INSITE (Inpatient Suicide Intervention and Therapy Evaluation). All studies recruited participants from acute inpatient wards, initiated therapy within the inpatient setting, and followed up participants post-discharge.
Results: We summarise our recommendations for good practice in the form of 10 top tips for success, based on our collective experience of conducting trials on psychiatric wards. Key themes relate to the importance of relationships between the research team and clinical staff; good stakeholder involvement and getting early buy-in from the team; and adapting to the particular demands of the clinical setting.
Conclusions: Sharing good practice recommendations can help reduce research waste arising from poor recruitment and/or retention in future inpatient clinical trials.
Aims: This paper aims to share strategies from three different inpatient trials which successfully recruited and retained participants, in order to disseminate good practice for the conduct of future trials in this challenging and complex clinical setting.
Method: We present strategies from three inpatient trials of psychological interventions: 1) TULIPS (Talk, Understand, Listen for Inpatient Settings), 2) amBITION (Brief Talking Therapies on Wards), and 3) INSITE (Inpatient Suicide Intervention and Therapy Evaluation). All studies recruited participants from acute inpatient wards, initiated therapy within the inpatient setting, and followed up participants post-discharge.
Results: We summarise our recommendations for good practice in the form of 10 top tips for success, based on our collective experience of conducting trials on psychiatric wards. Key themes relate to the importance of relationships between the research team and clinical staff; good stakeholder involvement and getting early buy-in from the team; and adapting to the particular demands of the clinical setting.
Conclusions: Sharing good practice recommendations can help reduce research waste arising from poor recruitment and/or retention in future inpatient clinical trials.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | British Journal of Psychiatry Open |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 7 Jun 2022 |