Carla Sa-Couto , Christoffer Ericsson , Marc Lazarovici
{"title":"Conducting multicenter simulation-based experimental research: lessons drawn from the Quality CPR European project","authors":"Carla Sa-Couto , Christoffer Ericsson , Marc Lazarovici","doi":"10.1016/j.resplu.2025.101054","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Multicenter research designs are widely recognized for enhancing the generalizability and real-world applicability of findings across diverse healthcare settings. However, conducting experimental studies across international sites presents substantial methodological, logistical, and operational challenges.</div><div>Quality CPR was a European multicenter simulation-based experimental study conducted across academic institutions in Portugal, Germany, and Finland. Using a randomized crossover design, the study investigated factors influencing chest compression quality and rescuer fatigue during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation.</div><div>Rather than serving as a methodological guide, this paper reflects on the practical experience of designing and implementing the Quality CPR study, highlighting twelve key lessons across the research lifecycle—planning, development, execution, and dissemination. These include collaborative protocol design, the development of a practical researcher guide to ensure cross-site harmonization, active support and real-time data monitoring during execution, and integrated dissemination strategies throughout the project lifecycle.</div><div>By documenting the enablers of success, this paper provides a practical reference for researchers planning similar international, multicenter studies. The insights offered aim to support the growing community of healthcare researchers engaged in cross-institutional initiatives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94192,"journal":{"name":"Resuscitation plus","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article 101054"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Resuscitation plus","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666520425001912","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Multicenter research designs are widely recognized for enhancing the generalizability and real-world applicability of findings across diverse healthcare settings. However, conducting experimental studies across international sites presents substantial methodological, logistical, and operational challenges.
Quality CPR was a European multicenter simulation-based experimental study conducted across academic institutions in Portugal, Germany, and Finland. Using a randomized crossover design, the study investigated factors influencing chest compression quality and rescuer fatigue during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Rather than serving as a methodological guide, this paper reflects on the practical experience of designing and implementing the Quality CPR study, highlighting twelve key lessons across the research lifecycle—planning, development, execution, and dissemination. These include collaborative protocol design, the development of a practical researcher guide to ensure cross-site harmonization, active support and real-time data monitoring during execution, and integrated dissemination strategies throughout the project lifecycle.
By documenting the enablers of success, this paper provides a practical reference for researchers planning similar international, multicenter studies. The insights offered aim to support the growing community of healthcare researchers engaged in cross-institutional initiatives.