Representative research participant recruitment: does our Theatres and Anaesthesia research study population reflect our peri-operative population? A service evaluation
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All Authors
Holmes, R
Thomas, C
LTHT Author
Holmes, R
Thomas, C
Thomas, C
LTHT Department
Non Medic
Publication Date
2025
Item Type
Conference Abstract
Language
Subject
Subject Headings
Abstract
Background
Failure to recruit diverse participants limits the impact of research [1]. We aim to recruit equitably to peri-operative (PO) studies but complex barriers to participation exist. Previously, we studied the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) of participants in one study compared to council data. However, the PO population differs from the general population [2].
Aims
We studied the demographics of our research population and compared these to our Trust's PO population. We suggest barriers and describe efforts to address these.
Methods
The PO patient (POP) demographics (age, sex, ethnicity and IMD) were defined for those ≥18 years having an operation in the Trust between 1/1/2022–31/12/2023. Research participants (RPs) included all patients ≥18 years recruited to PO studies between 1/1/2018–1/2/2024. We used EDGE3, Perioperative Quality Improvement Programme and local research databases to define age, sex, ethnicity and postcode (determining IMD).
Results
We identified 25,751 Trust POP and 1184 RP episodes. RPs were from 10 studies; six interventional, four observational. Those with incomplete data were excluded. Of Trust POPs, 12.2% were non-White compared to 5.1% of the RPs. Asian or Asian British accounted for 6.4% of the POPs and 1.8% of the RPs. Those most deprived (IMD 1) represented 22% of the POPs and 14% of the RPs. Of the POPs, 68% were >50 versus 83% of the RPs. 52% of the POPs and 46% of the RPs were women.
Conclusion
Barriers to recruitment of non-White ethnicities, especially Asian and Asian British, may include language and availability of translated information. Deprivation restricts access to healthcare for various reasons. Some studies’ inclusion criteria mandate age ≥50 years. Our team has produced an animation to promote PO research to minority ethnic groups and created a diversity patient reference group. We now include these demographics in our database to facilitate future audit.
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Acknowledgements
Thanks to the Patient Level Information Costing System team and T&A research team.
Declarations
This audit project has previously been presented as an oral presentation at the Association of Anaesthetists Annual Congress in Harrogate, September 2024, and has been published as an abstract in Anaesthesia 2024, 79 (Suppl. 3), 7, doi:10.1111/anae.16417.
This audit had LTHT Caldicott Guardian and audit department approval.