In autumn 2016, the FACT theme was successful in obtaining a HTMR small grant to conduct the ReSurgEnT (Research on Surgeons and Engagement in Trials) study.  The aims of the study are: 1)  To identify the key strategies leading to successful trial conduct within surgical trainee collaboratives; and 2) To use this to develop methods/ recommendations to enhance clinician engagement in trials across clinical specialities and to inform the medical curriculum in training future clinicians to engage with research. Methods include non-participant observation of key trainee and trial meetings, and semi- structured interviews with key stakeholders. The study is now underway with Clare Clement being appointed as the study researcher.  Thus far, three network meetings have been observed, and six interviews have been carried out.  Further meeting observations and interviews are planned with trainee collaboratives across the country. If anyone is aware of any ongoing trials involving surgical trainees, please get in touch with Clare: c.clement@bristol.ac.uk

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In other news, the first paper from the QuANTOC study (An ethnographic study of group decision-making and member roles to understand and improve how Trial Steering Committees and Trial Management Group contribute to trial conduct) was published in 2016 in Trials:

Daykin A, Selman LE, Cramer H, McCann S, Shorter GW, Sydes MR, Gamble C, Macefield R, Lane JA, Shaw A.  What are the roles and valued attributes of a Trial Steering Committee? Ethnographic study of eight clinical trials facing challenges. Trials (2016) 17:307