Randomised Controlled Trials: an introduction for nurse researchers

Journal article

Bench, S, Day, T and Metcalfe, A (2013). Randomised Controlled Trials: an introduction for nurse researchers. Nurse Researcher. 20 (5), pp. 38-44. https://doi.org/10.7748/nr2013.05.20.5.38.e312
AuthorsBench, S, Day, T and Metcalfe, A
Abstract

Aim To present an overview of the main components of randomised controlled trials and identify issues for consideration during their design and management. Background Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are considered to be the gold standard for determining causality and can provide high quality evidence to inform nursing practice. Data sources A search of online databases and websites was undertaken to identify relevant contemporary literature to inform the discussion. Discussion/Conclusion Conducting a robust randomised controlled trial can present researchers with numerous challenges and practical considerations. The importance of taking account of the Consort guidelines during their design, conduct and reporting is emphasised. Implications for research/practice Evidence from well conducted RCTs contributes to the development of effective nursing interventions. To avoid bias and ensure valid results, the design, conduct and reporting of RCTs should follow the Consort guidelines. Service users should be involved in the design and management of RCTs.

Keywords1110 Nursing
Year2013
JournalNurse Researcher
Journal citation20 (5), pp. 38-44
PublisherRoyal College of Nursing
ISSN1351-5578
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.7748/nr2013.05.20.5.38.e312
Publication dates
Print01 May 2013
Publication process dates
Deposited26 Jul 2018
Accepted18 Jun 2012
Accepted author manuscript
License
Permalink -

https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/87914

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
Randomised Controlled Trials an introduction for nurse researchers..doc
License: CC BY 4.0

  • 422
    total views
  • 577
    total downloads
  • 4
    views this month
  • 4
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Fatigue After CriTical illness (FACT): Co-production of a self-management intervention to support people with fatigue after critical illness
Brown, S.E., Shah, A., Czuber-Dochan, W., Bench, S. and Stayt, L. (2024). Fatigue After CriTical illness (FACT): Co-production of a self-management intervention to support people with fatigue after critical illness. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing. 82, p. 103659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2024.103659
Experiences of siblings of children with congenital heart disease during Coronavirus disease 2019; A qualitative interview study.
Bichard, E., McKeever, S., Bench, S. and Wray, J. (2022). Experiences of siblings of children with congenital heart disease during Coronavirus disease 2019; A qualitative interview study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2021.12.019
How COVID-19 has affected staffing models in intensive care: A qualitative study examining alternative staffing models (SEISMIC).
Endacott, R., Pearce, S., Rae, P., Richardson, A., Bench, S., Pattison, N. and SEISMIC Study Team (2021). How COVID-19 has affected staffing models in intensive care: A qualitative study examining alternative staffing models (SEISMIC). Journal of Advanced Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15081
Prevalence and experience of fatigue in survivors of critical illness: a mixed‐methods systematic review
Bench, S., Stayt, L., Shah, A., Dhiman, P. and Czuber‐Dochan, W. (2021). Prevalence and experience of fatigue in survivors of critical illness: a mixed‐methods systematic review. Anaesthesia. 76 (9), pp. 1233-1244. https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15441
Clinical Academic Research Internships: what works for nurses and the wider nursing, midwifery and allied health professional workforce
Olive, P., Maxton, Fiona, Bell, Cate Ann, Bench, Suzanne, Tinkler, Linda, Jones, Steph and Kenkre, Joyce (2020). Clinical Academic Research Internships: what works for nurses and the wider nursing, midwifery and allied health professional workforce. Journal of Clinical Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15611
Exploring adult critical illness survivors’ experiences of fatigue; a qualitative study
Bench, S., Czuber-Dochan, W., Shah, A. and Stayt, L. (2021). Exploring adult critical illness survivors’ experiences of fatigue; a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14995
Healthcare stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences of factors affecting the implementation of critical care telemedicine (CCT): qualitative evidence synthesis
Xyrichis, A., Iliopoulou, K., Mackintosh, N.J., Bench, S., Terblanche, M., Philippou, J. and Sandall, J. (2021). Healthcare stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences of factors affecting the implementation of critical care telemedicine (CCT): qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017 (11). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012876.pub2
Critical Care Nurses' Views and Experiences of Preanalytical Factors Influencing Point-of-Care Testing A Qualitative Study
Bench, S. (2020). Critical Care Nurses' Views and Experiences of Preanalytical Factors Influencing Point-of-Care Testing A Qualitative Study. Point of Care: The Journal of Near-Patient Testing and Technology. 19 (4), pp. 97-100. https://doi.org/10.1097/POC.0000000000000212
Empathy in Action in Healthcare (EACH): A mixed methods study of nurses' and therapists’ empathy
Catlow, R, Aikins-Snyper, F, Carson, M, Jaggi, A and Bench, S (2020). Empathy in Action in Healthcare (EACH): A mixed methods study of nurses' and therapists’ empathy. International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijotn.2020.100777
Patient and Family Member Experiences in Critical Care Research and Quality Improvement Projects
Bench, S, O'Shea, A and Boaz, Z (2020). Patient and Family Member Experiences in Critical Care Research and Quality Improvement Projects. Nursing Research. https://doi.org/10.1097/nnr.0000000000000443
Neurological Alterations and Management
Bench, S. (2019). Neurological Alterations and Management. in: Aitken, L., Marshall, A. and Chaboyer, W. (ed.) Critical Care Nursing Elsevier.
Involving patients and families in critical care research and quality improvement
Bench, S (2019). Involving patients and families in critical care research and quality improvement. Nursing in Critical Care. 24 (2), pp. 67-69. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12418
Evaluating the implementation of confusion assessment method-intensive care unit using a quality improvement approach
Stewart, C. and Bench, S. (2018). Evaluating the implementation of confusion assessment method-intensive care unit using a quality improvement approach. Nursing in Critical Care. 23 (4), pp. 172-178. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12354
Ventilator-associated pneumonia and suction: a review of the literature
Letchford, E and Bench, S (2018). Ventilator-associated pneumonia and suction: a review of the literature. British Journal of Nursing. 27 (1), pp. 13-18. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2018.27.1.13
The education and training needs of advanced clinical practitioners: an exploratory, qualitative study
Bench, S, Lee, G, Baker, E, Trenchard-Turner, N, Whaley, S, Peacock, S, Garry, B, Dover, N, Nwosu, W and Worth, T (2018). The education and training needs of advanced clinical practitioners: an exploratory, qualitative study. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice. 8 (8). https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v8n8p66
Reviewing interventions supporting parents' well-being after a child’s intensive care unit discharge
Bench, S and Bedford, Z (2018). Reviewing interventions supporting parents' well-being after a child’s intensive care unit discharge. Nursing in Critical Care. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12405
The nature and extent of service user involvement in critical care research and quality improvement; a scoping review of the literature.
Bench, S, Eassom, E and Poursanidou, K (2017). The nature and extent of service user involvement in critical care research and quality improvement; a scoping review of the literature. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 42 (2), pp. 217-231. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12406
Intensive care discharge summaries for general practice staff: a focus group study
Bench, S, Cornish, J and Xyrichis, A (2016). Intensive care discharge summaries for general practice staff: a focus group study. British Journal of General Practice. 66 (653), pp. e904-e912. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16X688045
Evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of a critical care discharge information pack for patients and their families: a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial
Bench, S, Day, T, Heelas, K, Hopkins, P, White, C and Griffiths, P (2015). Evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of a critical care discharge information pack for patients and their families: a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 5 (11), pp. e006852-e006852. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006852
Providing critical care patients with a personalised discharge summary: A questionnaire survey and retrospective analysis exploring feasibility and effectiveness
Bench, S, Heelas, K, White, C and Griffiths, P (2014). Providing critical care patients with a personalised discharge summary: A questionnaire survey and retrospective analysis exploring feasibility and effectiveness. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing. 30 (2), pp. 69-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2013.08.007
Effectiveness of Critical Care Discharge Information in Supporting Early Recovery From Critical Illness
Bench, S, Day, T and Griffiths, P (2013). Effectiveness of Critical Care Discharge Information in Supporting Early Recovery From Critical Illness. Critical Care Nurse. 33 (3), pp. 41-52. https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2013134
Developing user centred critical care discharge information to support early critical illness rehabilitation using the Medical Research Council's complex interventions framework
Bench, S, Day, TL and Griffiths, P (2012). Developing user centred critical care discharge information to support early critical illness rehabilitation using the Medical Research Council's complex interventions framework. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing. 28 (2), pp. 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2012.02.002
Involving Users in the Development of Effective Critical Care Discharge Information: A Focus Group Study
Bench, S, Day, T and Griffiths, P (2011). Involving Users in the Development of Effective Critical Care Discharge Information: A Focus Group Study. American Journal of Critical Care. 20 (6), pp. 443-452. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2011829
The user experience of critical care discharge: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research
Bench, S and Day, T (2010). The user experience of critical care discharge: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 47 (4), pp. 487-499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.11.013
Recognition and management of critical illness by midwives: implications for service provision
Bench, S (2007). Recognition and management of critical illness by midwives: implications for service provision. Journal of Nursing Management. 15 (3), pp. 348-356. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2007.00759.x
Clinical skills: assessing and treating shock: a nursing perspective
Bench, S (2004). Clinical skills: assessing and treating shock: a nursing perspective. British Journal of Nursing. 13 (12), pp. 715-721. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2004.13.12.13260