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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Letter

Trial Forge Guidance 1: what is a Study Within A Trial (SWAT)?

Authors: Shaun Treweek, Simon Bevan, Peter Bower, Marion Campbell, Jacquie Christie, Mike Clarke, Clive Collett, Seonaidh Cotton, Declan Devane, Adel El Feky, Ella Flemyng, Sandra Galvin, Heidi Gardner, Katie Gillies, Jan Jansen, Roberta Littleford, Adwoa Parker, Craig Ramsay, Lynne Restrup, Frank Sullivan, David Torgerson, Liz Tremain, Matthew Westmore, Paula R. Williamson

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Randomised trials are a central component of all evidence-informed health care systems and the evidence coming from them helps to support health care users, health professionals and others to make more informed decisions about treatment. The evidence available to trialists to support decisions on design, conduct and reporting of randomised trials is, however, sparse. Trial Forge is an initiative that aims to increase the evidence base for trial decision-making and in doing so, to improve trial efficiency.

One way to fill gaps in evidence is to run Studies Within A Trial, or SWATs. This guidance document provides a brief definition of SWATs, an explanation of why they are important and some practical ‘top tips’ that come from existing experience of doing SWATs. We hope the guidance will be useful to trialists, methodologists, funders, approvals agencies and others in making clear what a SWAT is, as well as what is involved in doing one.

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Treweek S, Barnett K, MacLennan G, Bonetti D, Eccles M, Francis J, Jones C, Pitts NB, Ricketts IW, Weal M, Sullivan F. E-mail invitations to general practitioners were as effective as postal invitations and were more efficient. J Clin Epidemiol. 2012;65:793–7.CrossRefPubMed

Title: Trial Forge Guidance 1: what is a Study Within A Trial (SWAT)?
Authors: Shaun Treweek
Simon Bevan
Peter Bower
Marion Campbell
Jacquie Christie
Mike Clarke
Clive Collett
Seonaidh Cotton
Declan Devane
Adel El Feky
Ella Flemyng
Sandra Galvin
Heidi Gardner
Katie Gillies
Jan Jansen
Roberta Littleford
Adwoa Parker
Craig Ramsay
Lynne Restrup
Frank Sullivan
David Torgerson
Liz Tremain
Matthew Westmore
Paula R. Williamson
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Trials / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-2535-5

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Trial Forge Guidance 1: what is a Study Within A Trial (SWAT)?

Abstract

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