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Abstract #47062 Published in IGR 13-3
Developing a population level complex intervention: Glaucoma screening on trial
Burr J; Azuara-Blanco A; Campbell M; Campbell S; Francis J; Greene A; Hernandez R; Hopkins D; Prior M; Ramsay CClinical Trials 2010; 7: 426
The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) published new guidance for developing and evaluating complex interventions in 2008. The process of implementing the guidance into trial design has not as yet been widely reported. This study used the MRC guidance for developing the components of an intervention to include in a glaucoma screening trial. A population-based glaucoma screening intervention is complex in that it contains many interacting components - the choice of screening test, the organisational context in which healthcare professionals would administer the test; how best to identify the target population and the development of a behaviour change intervention to maximise attendance by the target population. A mixed methods design was used. A previous systematic review of screening test performance had identified optimal glaucoma screening tests. A Delphi survey of health care professionals provided a short list of these tests. Using the results of the Delphi, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders explored the context in which such screening techniques could be applied to identify any barriers and facilitators to the introduction of these test strategies. The results of the interviews were incorporated into a refined economic model. Cost-effectiveness criteria informed the specifications of two potential screening testing strategies to take to the next phase of intervention development, i.e. to identify the most likely effective interventions for maximising attendance for screening by the target individuals. We will report benefits and pitfalls surrounding the applicability of the MRC guidance in practice.
J. Burr. Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
Classification:
1.6 Prevention and screening (Part of: 1 General aspects)