Clinical trials radiographers identifying priority challenges associated with implementing a national programme of clinical trials in the UK’s first proton beam therapy Centre

Abstract

This paper is an evaluation of the current trial processes within a national proton beam therapy (PBT) clinical trial service in the UK. The work within the paper identifies priority challenges associated with the implementation of PBT trials with a view to improving patient trial processes. The nominal group technique (NGT) was used. Five Clinical Trials Radiographers were asked the target question “what are the major challenges when implementing PBT clinical trials and facilitating PBT trial-related activities?” Participants individually and silently listed their challenges to the target question. Following this, group discussion clarified and refined responses. Participants then individually selected five challenges that they deemed most pertinent to the target question, giving a weighted score (out of 10). Individual scores were combined to provide a ranked, weighted order of challenges. Further group discussion identified improvement strategies to the highest scored challenges. After combining lists generated by participants, 59 challenges were identified. Group discussion eliminated 27 responses. Eighteen were merged, resulting in 14 challenges. The two challenges that ranked highest were: i) lack of initial understanding of the responsibilities of teams and who the relevant stakeholders were, ii) that a national PBT service requires the provision of shared care across multi-disciplinary teams and sites. Improvement areas include the development of shared protocols, clarifying stakeholder responsibilities and improving communication between centres to streamline PBT trial processes. This work has identified priority areas requiring development to improve the conduct of a national PBT clinical trials programme. This is the first publication to evaluate current clinical trial processes for the UK’s PBT service.