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Review
. 2012 Dec;6(4):494-9.
doi: 10.1097/SPC.0b013e3283597259.

Considerations in reporting palliative care clinical trials: standardizing information reported and authorship practices

Thomas W LeBlanc  1 , Amy P Abernethy, David C Currow, Jean S Kutner
Affiliations
Review

Considerations in reporting palliative care clinical trials: standardizing information reported and authorship practices

Thomas W LeBlanc et al. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2012 Dec.

Erratum in

  • Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2013 Mar;7(1):129

Abstract

Purpose of review: The nature of palliative care practice, especially the reliance on referrals and differing models of service delivery, poses unique challenges for the creation and interpretation of an evidence base, frequently limiting the applicability of data to patient care. Here we discuss two core aspects of clinical trials reporting in palliative medicine: proposed standards governing the collection and reporting of data, and rules governing authorship and publication.

Recent findings: Existing literature often inadequately describes the characteristics of patients, caregivers, clinicians, systems, and interventions included in studies, thereby limiting the utility of results.

Summary: A generalizability framework is needed to ensure a robust evidence base that advances practice. Lessons learned through the development of research cooperative groups in palliative care reinforce the importance of an authorship protocol for large trials and working groups.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures/conflicts:

Dr. Abernethy has research funding from the US National Institutes of Health, US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Biovex, DARA, Helsinn, MiCo and Pfizer; these funds are all distributed to Duke University Medical Center to support research including salary support for Dr. Abernethy. In the last 2 years she has had nominal consulting agreements with or received honoraria from (<$5,000 annually) Novartis and Pfizer. Consulting with Bristol Meyers Squibb is pending in 2012, for role as Co-Chair of a Scientific Advisory Committee.

Dr. Kutner has research funding from the US National Institutes of Health and US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and is a Medical Editor for the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making.

The other authors have no disclosures or conflicts to declare.

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