A National Survey of the barriers and facilitators to conducting clinical trials in radiotherapy
Roberts, Darren Hutton, Daniel Taylor, A.
Roberts, Darren
Hutton, Daniel
Taylor, A.
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Abstract
Purpose or Objective
NHS England’s Radiotherapy service specification calls for a 15% increase in clinical trial activity. To identify the
opportunities, barriers, and enablers for achievement a survey was undertaken. This identified the UK’s current provision
of radiotherapy trials, workforce resources and the trials management processes. This information will inform strategies
to increase recruitment to clinical trials and translation of those trials into standard of care.
Materials and Methods
A survey including a mixture of binary, self-ranking and free text questions was developed. The survey captured the current
provision of trials by complexity, strategic position and barriers and facilitator to conducting clinical trials. Respondents
were asked to complete a supplementary section, containing tables to complete capturing workforce resources and
timelines for setting up and recruiting to clinical trials. The survey was distributed by email to 43 UK radiotherapy
departments between May and June 2021 where a clinical trials lead was identified. Results were analysed in excel using
descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of free-text responses.
Results
32 unique responses (76%) were returned, of which 22 (52%) departments provided the supplementary information. The
findings of the main survey were divided into three themes; strategy, trial participation and facilitators/barriers. The
supplementary section was analysed separately. 69% of radiotherapy departments either did not have or were unsure if a
research strategy existed within their trust. Those trusts that did have a strategy reported more open trials with a larger
share of patient participation. All trusts reported that they recruited to trials, although 32% of trusts couldn’t quantify the
number of patients recruited. Common barriers to trials uptake include lack of strategy that contributes to resource,
awareness of available trials and clear processes. Workforce resources varied in terms of number, role and type of contact.
A number of trial positions were identified as secondments or fixed term contracts and funded through a variety of sources.
Departments with more resources had more open trials. Clinician preference was reported as the most common facilitator
to translating trials to standard of care. Free text responses advocate more regional and national collaboration to identify
and support objectives.
Conclusion
It is apparent that there are many barriers to increasing trial participation by 15%. This study identified:-Lack of strategy,
resource, accurate reporting and awareness of available trials locally and regionally. These will be key areas to focus in
order to deliver a 15% increase in clinical trials activity.
Authors
Description
Date
2022
Publisher
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Keywords
Type
Meetings and Proceedings
Citation
Roberts D, Hutton D, Taylor A. A National Survey of the barriers and facilitators to conducting Clinical Trials in Radiotherapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology. 2022 May;170:S1656-S. PubMed PMID: WOS:000806779900686.