The NCRI Future of Surgery initiative: Defining a research agenda for outcomes of surgical randomized controlled trials

Kristian Brock

Research output: Contribution to conference (unpublished)Abstractpeer-review

Abstract

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) outcomes are a critical component of evaluating novel cancer surgeries. There are, however, unique challenges in selecting, measuring and reporting surgical outcomes that need to be addressed. This national workshop aimed to define future surgical outcomes research in this area.

Method

Key stakeholders across all cancer surgical specialties were invited to participate in a one day workshop in May 2016 including consumers, surgeons, clinical academics, methodologists, trialists, funding body representatives and journal editors. Participants were briefed about the outcomes of 1) RCTs, 2) pilot/feasibility studies and 3) early phase surgical studies by experts who summarized challenges in selecting, measuring and reporting outcomes using study examples. Facilitated discussions sought to debate these challenges and to define a research agenda. Discussions were summarized and the planned research agenda ratified by the group.

Results

A total of 79 participants attended the workshop, with good representation of all stakeholder groups. In attendance were specialists in brain, lung, upper and lower GI, head and neck, breast, urological and cancer surgery from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The agreed research agenda included methods to 1) maximize consumer involvement in outcome selection and measurement; 2) model outcome selection and measurement in pilot studies in preparation for a main trial; 3) define quality assurance outcomes in surgical trials; 4) define process outcomes in early phase surgical studies and 5) further the development of core outcome sets in cancer surgery including recommended patient reported outcome measures.

Conclusion

Key stakeholders across disciplines identified emerging areas for research into surgical outcomes. It is recommended that research efforts are focused in these areas to improve the quality of future surgical RCTs.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2016
EventNational Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference 2016 - BT Convention Centre, Kings Dock, Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Duration: 6 Nov 20169 Nov 2016
http://www.ncri.org.uk/events/2016-ncri-cancer-conference/

Conference

ConferenceNational Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference 2016
Abbreviated titleNCRI Cancer Conference 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLiverpool
Period6/11/169/11/16
Internet address

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