Contamination in trials of educational interventions

Keogh-Brown MR, Bachmann MO, Shepstone L, Hewitt C, Howe A, Ramsay CR, Song F, Miles JN, Torgerson DJ, Miles S, Elbourne D, Harvey I, Campbell MJ
Record ID 32007000630
English
Authors' objectives:

"The objectives of the study were to consider the effects of contamination on the magnitude and statistical significance (or precision) of the estimated effect of an educational intervention, to investigate the mechanisms of contamination, and to consider how contamination can be avoided." (from executive summary)

Authors' recommendations: The literature search found little evidence that contamination really is a problem in trials of educational interventions in health because very few studies reported whether contamination occurred. However, there is consensus about the types of situation in which contamination is more or less likely. If it is likely then cluster randomisation may reduce contamination unless entire clusters are contaminated. CACE analysis may reduce bias if contamination is measured. In future trials of educational interventions in health, it is a priority to report the extent, nature and effects of contamination.
Authors' methods: Review
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.hta.ac.uk/1570
Year Published: 2007
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: England, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
  • Research Design
Contact
Organisation Name: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme
Contact Address: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK
Contact Name: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Contact Email: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Copyright: 2009 Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO
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