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.
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 language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
| Event | National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference 2016 - BT Convention Centre, Kings Dock, Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP, Liverpool, United Kingdom Duration: 6 Nov 2016 → 9 Nov 2016 http://www.ncri.org.uk/events/2016-ncri-cancer-conference/ |
Conference
| Conference | National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference 2016 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | NCRI Cancer Conference 2016 |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Liverpool |
| Period | 6/11/16 → 9/11/16 |
| Internet address |
