Welcome to the HRB Trials Methodology Research Network
The HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) is a collaborative initiative between a number of Irish and international higher education institutes and methodology centers.
In healthcare research, randomised trials are a cornerstone for advancing medical knowledge and treatment. However, a critical issue that often goes unnoticed
The HRB-TMRN is a proud Partner in the MRC-NIHR-Trials Methodology Research Partnership in the UK. This Partnership offers significant opportunity for trials
Being involved with Trials Methodology – some reflections from Derek Stewart – PPI Contributor and HRB-TMRN Executive Management Committee member. Inviting patients
The HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) is a collaborative initiative between several Irish and international higher education institutes and methodology centres.
We want to strengthen the methodology and reporting of trials in health and social care in Ireland so that they become more relevant, accessible and influential for our community of patients and other service users, practitioners, policymakers and the public. This is achieved through a programme of work relating to the methodology of trials and focused on (i) support, (ii) training and education, (iii) research and innovation and (iv) Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement.
Interesting study looking at human and AI use (and agreement) of evidence appraisal tools, including PRECIS-2. Judging the degree of pragmatism in a trial was the trickiest task of those tested.
Our Network is connected to over 70 national and international trials and trials methodology organisations. We are a partner within the MRC-NIHR-Trials Methodology Research Partnership in the UK. Our collaborations give us access to world leaders in trials methodology research.
Our trials methodology research expertise includes:
Studies within a
Trial (SWAT)
A SWAT is an embedded methodology research study within a planned or ongoing trial. We have been involved in SWATS for over 10 years and were involved in the first registered SWAT and we provide annual competitive funding for SWATs. Our members are active in developing and implementing SWATs across a variety of clinical trials nationally and internationally.
Core Outcome
Set Development
A core outcome set is agreed, standardised set of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all trials for a specific clinical area. We have been involved in developing core outcome sets across a range of clinical areas. We are proud to collaborate with the COMET Initiative in many of these.
Priority
Setting
Priority Setting Partnerships (PSPs) enable clinicians, patients and carers to work together to identify and prioritise evidence uncertainties in particular areas of health and care that could be answered by research.We have led or contributed to research agenda setting across a range of trials methodology topics and also promoted the use of prioritisation setting across clinical trial areas nationally.
Qualitative Research in Trials Methodology
We have specialized expertise in qualitative research in our Qualitative Research in Trials Centre (@QUESTSCentre). Here a team of advisors with expertise in case study research, ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology and qualitative evidence synthesis are active in a wide range of trials methodology projects.
Click here to register
Pragmatism in clinical trials aims to enhance the applicability of research findings in everyday clinical settings. Hybridism in clinical trials, which involves evaluating both
Pragmatism in clinical trials aims to enhance the applicability of research findings in everyday clinical settings. Hybridism in clinical trials, which involves evaluating both clinical effectiveness and implementation success, seeks to accelerate the development and adoption of evidence-based practices in routine clinical care. While pragmatic trial methodologies and implementation science originated from distinct disciplines, Pragmatic Trials and Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trials exhibit numerous overlapping design characteristics. Consequently, there is a risk of confusion between these trial types, leading investigators to misidentify their trial or utilize an inappropriate trial design to address their research query. This webinar aims to provide clear explanations of the similarities and differences between these trial types. Additionally, it will offer practical recommendations to assist investigators in selecting, labelling, and implementing the most suitable trial type for addressing their research question. These recommendations serve as valuable additions to the existing reporting guidelines for clinical effectiveness trials (TIDieR) and implementation trials (StaRI).
Geoffrey M. Curran, Ph.D. is a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Adjunct Professor of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Recently, he was invested as the inaugural Endowed Chair in Pharmacy Practice Innovation. As well, he recently completed a Fulbright Specialist Program with the University if Limerick, Ireland. His broad research area has been health services research, with a focus on the diffusion of innovation in a variety of health care settings (e.g., pharmacy, specialty care, primary care, and community settings). Dr. Curran is a medical sociologist. For the past 20+ years he has been continually funded by the National Institutes of Health (US), the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and other funders to develop and test a range of implementation strategies designed to support the uptake and sustainment of evidence-based practices. Dr. Curran also has written widely on research design and methodology in implementation science. He is the Director of the Center for Implementation Research, which is supported by the Translational Research Institute (TRI, UL1 TR003107), through the US National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the US National Institutes of Health (US NIH). The Center is devoted to developing and testing implementation strategies across a wide range of service contexts, assisting with the implementation of practices within community practices, and training the next generation of implementation scientists.
John C. Fortney, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and the Director of the Division of Population Health. He is also a Senior Research Career Scientist at the HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and Multiple Principal Investigator of the Virtual Care QUERI Program. For the last 35 years Dr. Fortney’s research has focused on issues of access to care, especially the delivery of mental health services in rural primary care clinics. His research has been supported by NIMH, NIAAA, PCORI and VA HSR&D.
The International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference 2024 promises to be a unique opportunity for those working in clinical trials to meet and discuss the current issues within trials and methodology. The event will showcase the very latest in trials methodology research and offer plenty of valuable opportunities for networking. A diverse programme will be prepared by the Scientific Committee and Education Committee, which promises to make this a highly rewarding and enjoyable meeting for all.
The 7th ICTMC Conference will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) from 30 September – 3 October 2024 in Edinburgh! The venue is situated in the heart of the historic city of Edinburgh and it is just a short walk away from Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
more
Time
September 30 (Monday) 9:00 am – October 3 (Thursday) 4:00 pm
The International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference 2024 promises to be a unique opportunity for those working in clinical trials to meet and discuss the current issues within trials and methodology. The event will showcase the very latest in trials methodology research and offer plenty of valuable opportunities for networking. A diverse programme will be prepared by the Scientific Committee and Education Committee, which promises to make this a highly rewarding and enjoyable meeting for all.
The 7th ICTMC Conference will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) from 30 September – 3 October 2024 in Edinburgh! The venue is situated in the heart of the historic city of Edinburgh and it is just a short walk away from Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
more
Time
September 30 (Monday) 9:00 am – October 3 (Thursday) 4:00 pm
“Advancing the Workforce and Future Trialists”
Our Trialist programme will train and establish a pipeline of experienced
Event Details
“Advancing the Workforce and Future Trialists”
Our Trialist programme will train and establish a pipeline of experienced clinical researchers and investigators capable of driving trial activities. This event will provide an overview of themes that are central to the delivery of clinical trials in Ireland, and will be delivered by experts in the field of clinical research.
Date: 17.10.2024
Large Theatre CSI-1030, Clinical Science Institute, University of Galway.
Dates: 21st & 22nd November
Time: 09:15-17:00
Location: John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh
This course has been running for more than two decades, in order
Event Details
Dates: 21st & 22nd November
Time: 09:15-17:00
Location: John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh
This course has been running for more than two decades, in order to support the professional development of anyone involved or interested in clinical trial management, including Trial Management Support Officers (TMSO), Assistant Trial Managers (ATMs), Trial Managers (TMs), Senior Trial Managers (STMs) and related roles.
The aims of the course are:
To develop attendees’ knowledge and skills in clinical trial management.
To improve attendees’ understanding of related disciplines including research governance, regulation, trial methodology, data management, monitoring, and project management, with a view to effective teamworking.
In 2024, there will be a particular focus on patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in trials, efficiency in trial conduct, trial manager career progression, participant diversity, and sustainability in trial conduct.
The course consists of a variety of workshops, practical tasks and lectures. Several interactive sessions cover key topics associated with setting up and delivering clinical trials. Sessions provide practical guidance and facilitate discussion, information exchange and provide plenty of networking opportunities adjacent to Arthur’s Seat, a mountain in the heart of Edinburgh.
The course is co-delivered by The Universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
The three gold threads of the course in 2024 are:
Involving the right people in design, including patients
We work collaboratively and innovatively. Our doors are always open to new ideas in Trials methodology.
Inclusion
Involvement of all key stakeholders including patients and the public is central to what we do. This helps us ensure our work will matter most and achieve impact.
Capacity
Capacity-building is central to all our work. This is essential to provide opportunity, invigorate perspective and build our research future.
Our Network operates across five University Partners, each leading the way in trials methodology research and training