1. Early stages of research programmes: pilot and feasibility studies From Scoping to Activity Rehabilitation Conference A Byrne

2. Realising potential……

3. Paths to wisdom…. What are we trying to achieve? How will success be measured? What hasn’t worked? How feasibility studies support transition to success

4. What are we trying to achieve? Patient orientated vs. disease orientated Pragmatic vs. explanatory Multiprofessional/disciplinary vs. elite Policy/public vs. opinion leading

5. Why….? Best practice…..best care Influence policy and strategy Efficacy and efficiency

6. The challenge of evidence Patient orientated… Disease orientated…. Change = confidence in quality

7. Scientific method Produce evidence that is verifiable by repeated observation Language of reliability and consistency Hierarchies of evidence

8. Evaluation of complex interventions: Campbell et al BMJ 2000;321:694-6

9. Trial by Design…

10. Why failures…..? Lack of clarity Poor methodology Poor infrastructure

11. Supportive and Palliative Care Organisation Workforce Infrastructure Small, fragmented groups Lack of training, funds Minimal access to resource

12. “Difficult to research” crux ? Do nothing………or Anything goes?

13. Best patient care From knowledge to practice Ignorance Pattern Recognition Organized Observation Collateral knowledge Trials Certainty

14. Research Question Large scale study Education Training Systematic Review Clinical Trials Unit Academic qualification Patient Involvement Recruitment Methodology Outcome measurement Dissemination Change in practice Driver Opportunity Infrastructure Skilled workforce Publication Facilitated learning

15. Tackling Complexity…

16. Best patient care Ignorance Pattern Recognition Organized Observation Collateral knowledge Trials Certainty SystematicPhase I Descriptive Phase II Qualitative/quantitative Phase III

17. What feasibility provides.. Information on the population Information on the intervention Information on the methodology Information on the trial conduct

18. What feasibility demonstrates.. Clarity and focus Organized: -thinking -multidisc engagement -project management Track record: - of funding - of working together

19. What feasibility promises… Opportunity for phase III funding Potential to develop programme grants Enticement to broad vision…..

20. Portfolio Policy and strategy Practice and care Access and recruitment

21. Key next steps Commonality of theme Methodological expertise and innovation Multidisciplinary approach Resource base: CTUs Opportunism….