Many more reasons behind difficulties in recruiting patients to randomized controlled trials in psychiatry

Abstract

Comments on an article by V. C. Leeson, and P. Tyrer (see record 2014-01603-007). V. C. Leeson, and P. Tyrer aim to investigate 'the reasons behind difficulties in recruiting patients to randomized controlled trials in psychiatry'. Their paper fails to do this and is methodologically not suited for this purpose. What it does is illustrate that there are difficulties in both instigation and recruitment; that, at least for England, these issues do not seem to be getting better; and lists some problems for consideration. Difficulties with research regulation and governance are discussed by authors, as are issues around health care partnerships and data acquisition. There is, however, no mention of how Research Ethics Committees may be acting unethically and in this way delaying either instigation. A randomized trial is a collaborative effort. The authors list issues with the professional carers that may hinder progression but notably omit other issues specific to lay carers, trial participants and, most importantly, researchers themselves. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)