Awareness, familiarity, and use of core outcome sets by Indian trialists and systematic reviewers
Background
Evidence-based medicine is informed by randomised control trials (RCT) and systematic reviews. Outcomes chosen in these research methods are important in determining if interventions are effective and safe. Research outcomes chosen based on previous research or stakeholder opinions tend to be inconsistent across studies. This variability and lack in consistency makes it difficult to pool data to inform healthcare practice and policy.
Core outcome sets (COS) are consensus-derived, standardised sets of outcomes that should be minimally measured in trials on a specific health condition or disease. Using COS enhances the ability to identify meaningful comparisons across research and examine the benefits or harms of interventions.
However, COS usage still varies widely across areas of healthcare research. Only 2% of reviewed late-phase clinical trials published 2019-2020 reported using a COS, and just 65% of trialists surveyed in 2021 were familiar with COS. Understanding the current awareness and attitudes towards COS in India can guide initiatives to increase COS uptake for high-quality research.
Aim
The objective of the current research is to understand the knowledge, attitudes, practice, familiarity, and use of COS by trialists and systematic reviewers in India.
Research Methodology
The study will use a survey among trialists and systematic reviewers from India. The project duration will be 3 months.
Potential Impact
- Identify the current awareness of COS among researchers in India, as well as potential barriers and facilitators that affect its use.
- Research findings would be used to guide future initiatives to encourage COS usage in healthcare research, and aid in improving the design, conduct and quality of trials and systematic reviews
Current Status
This project has just received ethics approval and is now beginning recruitment. Please click the link to the survey.
