Article type
Year
Abstract
Objective:
* To produce and maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date, register of UK randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in cancer.
* To design and implement a user friendly version of the UKCCCR Register that will be available over the Internet.
Introduction: The advantages of trial registers have been well documented, and the UKCCCR Register is of potential value to many groups and individuals. Registration of trials:
* Provides design and recruitment information on current and closed trials for those designing, or those patients and doctors considering participating in an RCT. This may avoid unnecessary duplication of trials, encourage communication and co-operation between researchers and increase accrual.
* Assists funding bodies in assessing the relevance of proposals for new trials, and the allocation of funds.
* Facilitates systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Methods: Following consultation with both register users and the providers of trial data, the UKCCCR Register contains information on trial design, patient accrual, organisation and funding. Protocols and copies of publications are kept on file. Features of the Register include searching and reporting facilities and an online help. Trialists may update their RCTs either on paper or electronically. In the UK there is currently no legal requirement for researchers to register trials. As part of the continuing development of the UKCCCR Register we hope to collaborate with various groups, such as, funding bodies and ethics committees and persuade them to encourage mandatory prospective registration of those trials under their remit.
Results/Discussion: In March 1997, the UKCCCR Register contained approximately 500 RCTs which had been registered (both prospectively and retrospectively) by the appropriate researcher. More than a third are open to patient accrual. The UKCCCR Register is currently available on diskette and an Internet version will be available in the near future. The PC-based version will be demonstrated.
* To produce and maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date, register of UK randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in cancer.
* To design and implement a user friendly version of the UKCCCR Register that will be available over the Internet.
Introduction: The advantages of trial registers have been well documented, and the UKCCCR Register is of potential value to many groups and individuals. Registration of trials:
* Provides design and recruitment information on current and closed trials for those designing, or those patients and doctors considering participating in an RCT. This may avoid unnecessary duplication of trials, encourage communication and co-operation between researchers and increase accrual.
* Assists funding bodies in assessing the relevance of proposals for new trials, and the allocation of funds.
* Facilitates systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Methods: Following consultation with both register users and the providers of trial data, the UKCCCR Register contains information on trial design, patient accrual, organisation and funding. Protocols and copies of publications are kept on file. Features of the Register include searching and reporting facilities and an online help. Trialists may update their RCTs either on paper or electronically. In the UK there is currently no legal requirement for researchers to register trials. As part of the continuing development of the UKCCCR Register we hope to collaborate with various groups, such as, funding bodies and ethics committees and persuade them to encourage mandatory prospective registration of those trials under their remit.
Results/Discussion: In March 1997, the UKCCCR Register contained approximately 500 RCTs which had been registered (both prospectively and retrospectively) by the appropriate researcher. More than a third are open to patient accrual. The UKCCCR Register is currently available on diskette and an Internet version will be available in the near future. The PC-based version will be demonstrated.