Title

Network exploring Ethics of Ambulance Trials (NEAT)

Principal / Lead investigator

• Niro Siriwardena (University of Lincoln)

Co-investigators / research team

• Dr Adele Langlois, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lincoln
• Dr Stephanie Armstrong, CaHRU, University of Lincoln
• Prof Philip Bath, Nottingham University
• Prof Jonathan Benger, University of West of England
• Prof Gavin Perkins, Warwick University
• Prof Tom Quinn, Kingston University London & St George’s, University of London 
• Prof Helen Snooks, Swansea University
• Dr Chris Price, Newcastle University
• Dr Sarah Voss, University of West of England
• Prof David Townend, Maastricht University 

Type of study

Systematic review and qualitative interviews

Summary

Aim
To develop a network exploring the ethics of conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving ambulance services

Objectives

• To undertake a systematic review of ethical approaches in published RCTs and protocols involving ambulance services in the UK and elsewhere since 2000. We will also compare legal and ethical requirements for gaining consent in emergency settings in the UK, mainland Europe, US and Australia, where most studies have been conducted.
• To conduct pilot qualitative studies with stakeholders, including patients and ambulance staff in the East Midlands, to explore perceptions of the ethics of ambulance trials.
• To organise networking events with researchers, ambulance leaders, policymakers and ethicists involved in UK ambulance trials to present and discuss findings, develop preliminary recommendations for best practice, and plan further studies into ethics and conduct of ambulance trials.

Who is the study sponsor?

University of Lincoln

Funder

Wellcome Trust

Total grant value

£49,681

Amount accruing to Wales

£0

Start date

01/01/2016

End date

31/12/2016

How could this research potentially benefit patients?

The activities will help raise awareness among researchers, practitioners, ethics committees and the public of developments in the ethics and conduct of ambulance trials and provide the basis for much needed research to inform recommendations for best ethical practice in future trials.

Further information (e.g. related web link)

Project profile on CaHRU website: http://cahru.org.uk/research/peqo/neat/

News: Experts convene for Wellcome funded Network Exploring Ethics in Ambulance Trials (NEAT) project meeting, CaHRU, November 2016

Outputs generated (Reports / Publications)   

Armstrong S, Langlois A, Laparidou D, Dixon M, Appleton JP, Bath PM, Snooks H, Siriwardena AN (2017). Assessment of consent models as an ethical consideration in the conduct of prehospital ambulance randomised controlled clinical trials: a systematic review. BMC Medical Research Methodology 17:142.

Armstrong S, Langlois A, Laparidou D, Dixon M, Appleton JP, Bath PM, Snooks H, Siriwardena AN (2017) Consent as an ethical consideration in the conduct of prehospital ambulance randomised controlled clinical trials: a systematic review. In: EMS 999 Research Forum: The Way Forward for Emergency Care Research: Inclusion; Collaboration; Sustainability, 29 March 2017, Bristol.

Armstrong S, Langlois A, Quinn T, Siriwardena AN (2017) Ethical considerations in prehospital ambulance based research: an interview study of expert informants. In: Trent Regional SAPC Meeting, 21 March 2017, Lincoln.

Impact

The activities have helped raise awareness among researchers, practitioners, ethics committees and the public of developments in the ethics and conduct of ambulance trials and are providing much needed research to inform recommendations for best ethical practice in future trials.