International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference 2024
(ICTMC)

Between the 1st and 3^rd October, six members of the Hull Health Trials Unit (HHTU) (Information Systems Manager, 2 Trial Managers, 2 Clinical Trial Coordinator and a HHTU statistician) attended the International Clinical Trials Methodology conference (ICTMC) 2024. They were joined by a NIHR doctoral research fellow linked with the Trials Unit.

ICTMC is one of the main methodology conferences, bringing together researchers, clinical trial professionals and the public from across the world and was a great chance to demonstrate some to the excellent work being done by the trial’s unit.

In total, 11 posters were presented as detailed below (link included to posters):   

1. Actigraph Management: The Advantages and disadvantages of using a centrally managed ActiGraph distribution system for collecting physical activity date in a multicentre randomised controlled trial
2. Strategies to encourage site engagement in the Morphine and BrEathLessness Trial
3. Impact on participant recruitment of adding an Infographic to a Patient Information Leaflet in the MABEL trial, a Study Within A Trial (SWAT116)
4. Challenges and solutions in the set-up of an international cross-boundary clinical trial for Osteogenesis Imperfecta
5. Don’t Stop me now- efficiently handling database specification amendments arising form formal testing
6. Developing and electronic safety reporting data flow in clinical trials using standard design components in an off-the-shelf
7. An Evaluation of the implementation, adoption, and uptake of a model of remote e-consent within the PRE-DX study
8. A comparison of the characteristics and response rates f participants using electronic, postal or phone data collection for follow-up questionnaires in the PRE-DX study.
9. A Study Within a Trial (SWAT) to investigate the impact of regular scheduled calls between the coordinating team and sites on recruitment rates in a clinical trial (SWAT177)
10. The use of routine primary care data for the assessment of the clinical and environmental impact of the SENTINEL programme on asthma care: a stepped wedge quality improvement study
11. What strategies exist to help staff from clinical trial sites recruit participants?

A clinical trials coordinators perspective of ICTMC.

By Charlotte Thompson

On Monday 30^th October 2024 I joined colleagues from the Hull Health Trials Unit (HHTU) to begin the journey from Hull to Edinburgh for the International Clinical Trials Methodology conference 2024 (ICTMC).

I did not know what to expect when I arrived. The Conference was a fantastic experience with opportunities to listen to the experiences of others with keynote speakers presenting at the opening and closing of the conference. Prior to attending, attendees were given access to a mobile app which acted as a guide to the event providing updates throughout. As an individual who has never attended an event like this, it gave me the opportunity to read the abstracts of each presentation and decide which ones I would like to attend in each session. This enabled me to listen to presentations I found interesting or would be beneficial which in turn has enhanced my learning. Through this I have been able to take home key lessons in research methodology which I have already implemented or taken into consideration in some of the trials I am currently involved in.

Preparing the abstract and subsequent poster was a new experience for me as the last time I did a piece of writing of this standard was my dissertation in 2013. Although I have worked in research as a research nurse for over 6 years, my role did not give me the opportunity to produce this type of work. Initially I was surprised when I was asked to produce a piece of work especially as I had only been a member of the team for less than 6 months and I was proud to receive the notification that my abstract had been accepted. With some guidance (and some editing) from senior and more experienced colleagues I began to feel more confident in the work I had produced, and I have implemented it in the pieces I am currently producing.

During the poster presentation my colleagues provided support when it was my allocation slot, the other allocated times gave me the opportunity to support the team and take the time to view the others in situ. This was an excellent way to meet new people and witness my colleagues reconnect with others within the world of research. The vendors stand provided further insight to the progression of technology in support clinical trials and the opportunities to develop one’s knowledge further.

Every attendee will have had a different experience and will reflect on these in their own way. The above account is my experience, and I am hoping to have the opportunity to attend again in the future.  

Special News

Due to the increase in size of the HHTU team and the continuation of hybrid working, it was decided that an away day was needed for everyone to get together as a unit. So, the HHTU team escaped the world of clinical trials for a day of getting to know each other and fun activities.

One of the activities we did the team had prepared in advanced by unknowingly providing answers to a Myers-Brigg personality quiz. This shaped the activities for the day as they were first, unwittingly, placed into teams among fellow work mates who produced the same personality type as them. The purpose of this was to demonstrate how each personality group approached the tasks. The first task was to produce a poster for the fictional HHTU Fair.

The artistic personality types immediately jumped into action designing colourful posters with huge pictures and eye-catching titles. Whereas the more practical personally types carefully considered what to include and included more, less fun, information about the fair. Interestingly the ‘control group’ that consisted of a mix of personality types broke their workload up and individually developed aspects for the poster that came together to represent both artistic flair with practical information.

After the tasks there was the Grand Reveal which explained why they were asked to answer this list of random questions weeks earlier and why they were placed in seemingly arbitrary teams. Reflecting on the approach to the tasks had revealed the traits defined in their personality quiz results. The tasks practically demonstrated that each member of the HHTU team has their strengths and that playing to the strengths of everyone brings out the best outcomes. Armed with that knowledge more tasks were undertaken but this time with an even mix of personality types in each team. The teams now had a better understanding of different approaches and different team member strengths and were able to use that to their advantage. Of course, it’s not possible or fair to pigeonhole people into one ‘personality type’. Every single person is mix of every personality type and the validity of the Myers-Briggs personality quiz is disputed but we believe the message and the principle was well received. Not only are we stronger as a team we are now closer as a team too.