Abstract
Objective. To describe unexpected challenges and strategies to overcome them when conducting randomized controlled trials (RCT) of health services research interventions in retail pharmacies. Study Setting. Thirty-six retail drug stores in Indianapolis. Study Design. We conducted an RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to increase pharmacists' involvement in caring for customers. We describe: (1) our RCT as originally designed, (2) unexpected challenges we faced; and (3) how we resolved those challenges. Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Randomized controlled trial. Principal Findings. Major modifications in research design were necessitated by factors such as corporate restructuring, heightened sensitivity to patient confidentiality, and difficulties altering employees' behavior. We overcame these barriers by conducting research that is consistent with corporate goals, involving appropriate corporate administrators and technical personnel early in the process, and being flexible. Conclusions. Health services researchers should conduct RCTs in a variety of nonacademic practice settings to increase generalizability and better reflect the true impact of interventions. Pragmatic problems, although significant, can be successfully overcome.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1067-1077 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Health Services Research |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Pharmaceutical care
- Randomized trial
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nursing(all)
- Health(social science)
- Health Professions(all)
- Health Policy
Cite this
Issues in conducting randomized controlled trials of health services research interventions in nonacademic practice settings : The case of retail pharmacies. / Weinberger, Morris; Murray, Michael; Marrero, David; Brewer, Nancy; Lykens, Michael; Harris, Lisa E.; Newell, A. Jeffrey; Collins, Joyce; Tierney, William M.
In: Health Services Research, Vol. 37, No. 4, 08.2002, p. 1067-1077.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Issues in conducting randomized controlled trials of health services research interventions in nonacademic practice settings
T2 - The case of retail pharmacies
AU - Weinberger, Morris
AU - Murray, Michael
AU - Marrero, David
AU - Brewer, Nancy
AU - Lykens, Michael
AU - Harris, Lisa E.
AU - Newell, A. Jeffrey
AU - Collins, Joyce
AU - Tierney, William M.
PY - 2002/8
Y1 - 2002/8
N2 - Objective. To describe unexpected challenges and strategies to overcome them when conducting randomized controlled trials (RCT) of health services research interventions in retail pharmacies. Study Setting. Thirty-six retail drug stores in Indianapolis. Study Design. We conducted an RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to increase pharmacists' involvement in caring for customers. We describe: (1) our RCT as originally designed, (2) unexpected challenges we faced; and (3) how we resolved those challenges. Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Randomized controlled trial. Principal Findings. Major modifications in research design were necessitated by factors such as corporate restructuring, heightened sensitivity to patient confidentiality, and difficulties altering employees' behavior. We overcame these barriers by conducting research that is consistent with corporate goals, involving appropriate corporate administrators and technical personnel early in the process, and being flexible. Conclusions. Health services researchers should conduct RCTs in a variety of nonacademic practice settings to increase generalizability and better reflect the true impact of interventions. Pragmatic problems, although significant, can be successfully overcome.
AB - Objective. To describe unexpected challenges and strategies to overcome them when conducting randomized controlled trials (RCT) of health services research interventions in retail pharmacies. Study Setting. Thirty-six retail drug stores in Indianapolis. Study Design. We conducted an RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to increase pharmacists' involvement in caring for customers. We describe: (1) our RCT as originally designed, (2) unexpected challenges we faced; and (3) how we resolved those challenges. Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Randomized controlled trial. Principal Findings. Major modifications in research design were necessitated by factors such as corporate restructuring, heightened sensitivity to patient confidentiality, and difficulties altering employees' behavior. We overcame these barriers by conducting research that is consistent with corporate goals, involving appropriate corporate administrators and technical personnel early in the process, and being flexible. Conclusions. Health services researchers should conduct RCTs in a variety of nonacademic practice settings to increase generalizability and better reflect the true impact of interventions. Pragmatic problems, although significant, can be successfully overcome.
KW - Pharmaceutical care
KW - Randomized trial
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U2 - 10.1034/j.1600-0560.2002.66.x
DO - 10.1034/j.1600-0560.2002.66.x
M3 - Article
VL - 37
SP - 1067
EP - 1077
JO - Health Services Research
JF - Health Services Research
SN - 0017-9124
IS - 4
ER -