Developing a new approach to involve service users in a multi-centred trial of a complex intervention in pre-hospital emergency care

2012 Conference

Abstract:
Despite increasing service user involvement in health and social care research, it is still patchy in some areas. We present our experience of developing a model to actively involve service users in a multi-centred trial in pre-hospital emergency care. 
The SAFER 2 trial is evaluating alternatives to A&E care for older people who repeatedly call 999. We include service users in this trial at different decision levels.

1. Trial Steering Group, Trial Management Group, Data Monitoring and Ethics Committee: these are the standard bodies which manage and oversee a trial
2. Management committees at local level: these take decisions about running the trial in each study site (Wales, London and East Midlands)
3. User groups: these groups of patients and carers meet with the site researcher to discuss issues affecting older fallers likely to be recruited into the study

Learning point: the different involvement forums allow service users, including elderly and frail people, to participate in and contribute to a multi-centred trial. Issues for discussion include: challenges of working with this user group; understanding and engaging in trials. Our model is based on the standard operating procedure for including service users, developed and adopted by our Clinical Trials Unit.