Journal article
Using a Cascading Approach to Improve Multisite Study Procedures
Nursing research (New York), Vol.72(5), pp.377-385
09/2023
DOI: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000665
PMCID: PMC10534019
PMID: 37145023
Abstract
Multisite studies offer larger, more diverse samples to successfully capture populations and clinical practices of interest at the point of care. However, investigators face challenges with site recruitment and sampling, differences in clinical practices across sites, and data integrity. Addressing these issues a priori can improve the rigor and reproducibility of the research.
This paper aims to describe a cascading approach to multisite research. An exemplar is provided of a study using this approach, which aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pain and the pain management practices provided to critically ill children in pediatric intensive care units in the United States.
The cascading approach includes two or more pilot study procedures with a progressively increasing number of sites prior to a full-scale study. Following each pilot, study procedures are evaluated, feedback obtained from site personnel and content experts, procedures revised accordingly, approvals obtained, sites trained, and the revised procedures are repeated with a larger, more diverse number of sites.
In the exemplar provided, improvements in the efficiency and integrity of data collection were noted for the full-scale study following the pilots. All sites that completed the agreements and approvals for study participation were retained for the duration of the two pilots and full-scale study.
Borrowing from principles of process improvement, the cascading approach allows knowledge to be gained regarding site differences and informs the revision of study procedures while potentially maximizing efficiency, data integrity, minimizing site burden, and maintaining site engagement for multisite studies.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Using a Cascading Approach to Improve Multisite Study Procedures
- Creators
- Cynthia M LaFondKirsten Hanrahan - University of IowaNicole L BohrAnn Marie McCarthy - The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Nursing research (New York), Vol.72(5), pp.377-385
- DOI
- 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000665
- PMID
- 37145023
- PMCID
- PMC10534019
- NLM abbreviation
- Nurs Res
- ISSN
- 0029-6562
- eISSN
- 1538-9847
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 05/05/2023
- Date published
- 09/2023
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Nursing; Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984400641902771
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