Research assistants’ experiences recruiting patients with psychosis into clinical trials: a qualitative study
Abstract Objectives Treatments for patients diagnosed with psychosis need to be improved. Clinical trials are an important way of assessing the efficacy of new treatments. However, recruiting patients into trials is challenging. This study sought to better understand the reasons for this from the pe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Trials |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-025-08882-y |
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| author | Ariane Beckley Margaret Glogowska Felicity Waite Penny Bee Daniel Freeman |
| author_facet | Ariane Beckley Margaret Glogowska Felicity Waite Penny Bee Daniel Freeman |
| author_sort | Ariane Beckley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives Treatments for patients diagnosed with psychosis need to be improved. Clinical trials are an important way of assessing the efficacy of new treatments. However, recruiting patients into trials is challenging. This study sought to better understand the reasons for this from the perspective of research assistants. Design A qualitative study underpinned by a critical realist ontology and contextualist epistemology. Methods Research assistants who had recruited patients with psychosis into trials, primarily of psychological interventions, were interviewed. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Results Overarching themes representing four types of factors influencing recruitment of patients with psychosis into clinical trials were generated: patient, clinical team, research team, and NHS infrastructure. Patients largely wished to take part in trials but needed time to build trust with research assistants. Clinical teams held the power in suggesting patients for trials; therefore, it was essential for research teams to build strong relationships with clinical staff. Research teams recruiting into trials benefited from lived experience expertise, support systems, and institutional knowledge. A key NHS infrastructure factor was that mental health staff had limited time to consider trials for their patients. Conclusions Trial participation needs to be made more accessible to patients with psychosis, who often want to take part but lack opportunities. Methods of increasing accessibility could include identifying and addressing barriers to referral from clinical teams, employing multiple recruitment strategies, and flexible appointment formats. Qualitative research with clinical teams and patients will also help in developing the understanding of barriers to recruitment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7fed8c3b95ac465b9a9522acc7d55c19 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1745-6215 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Trials |
| spelling | doaj-art-7fed8c3b95ac465b9a9522acc7d55c192025-08-20T02:03:32ZengBMCTrials1745-62152025-05-0126111410.1186/s13063-025-08882-yResearch assistants’ experiences recruiting patients with psychosis into clinical trials: a qualitative studyAriane Beckley0Margaret Glogowska1Felicity Waite2Penny Bee3Daniel Freeman4Department of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of OxfordDepartment of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordDivision of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of ManchesterDepartment of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordAbstract Objectives Treatments for patients diagnosed with psychosis need to be improved. Clinical trials are an important way of assessing the efficacy of new treatments. However, recruiting patients into trials is challenging. This study sought to better understand the reasons for this from the perspective of research assistants. Design A qualitative study underpinned by a critical realist ontology and contextualist epistemology. Methods Research assistants who had recruited patients with psychosis into trials, primarily of psychological interventions, were interviewed. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Results Overarching themes representing four types of factors influencing recruitment of patients with psychosis into clinical trials were generated: patient, clinical team, research team, and NHS infrastructure. Patients largely wished to take part in trials but needed time to build trust with research assistants. Clinical teams held the power in suggesting patients for trials; therefore, it was essential for research teams to build strong relationships with clinical staff. Research teams recruiting into trials benefited from lived experience expertise, support systems, and institutional knowledge. A key NHS infrastructure factor was that mental health staff had limited time to consider trials for their patients. Conclusions Trial participation needs to be made more accessible to patients with psychosis, who often want to take part but lack opportunities. Methods of increasing accessibility could include identifying and addressing barriers to referral from clinical teams, employing multiple recruitment strategies, and flexible appointment formats. Qualitative research with clinical teams and patients will also help in developing the understanding of barriers to recruitment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-025-08882-yPsychosisTrialRecruitmentResearch assistantQualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Ariane Beckley Margaret Glogowska Felicity Waite Penny Bee Daniel Freeman Research assistants’ experiences recruiting patients with psychosis into clinical trials: a qualitative study Trials Psychosis Trial Recruitment Research assistant Qualitative research |
| title | Research assistants’ experiences recruiting patients with psychosis into clinical trials: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Research assistants’ experiences recruiting patients with psychosis into clinical trials: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Research assistants’ experiences recruiting patients with psychosis into clinical trials: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research assistants’ experiences recruiting patients with psychosis into clinical trials: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Research assistants’ experiences recruiting patients with psychosis into clinical trials: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | research assistants experiences recruiting patients with psychosis into clinical trials a qualitative study |
| topic | Psychosis Trial Recruitment Research assistant Qualitative research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-025-08882-y |
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