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Collaboration between Institutions on ECT Research and Audit
The Royal College of Psychiatrists Special Committee on ECT and Related Treatments identified a need for a nationally co-ordinated approach to ECT research at its meeting in August 2010.
The need for collaboration
There are a number of researchers in various centres around the United Kingdom who are carrying out various pieces of work in the field of ECT. Given the nature of clinical ECT services the numbers of patients who can be recruited into studies is relatively small. Furthermore there are specific ethical considerations and issues regarding consent and capacity within this population which further limits the number of potential research participants. One method of increasing the number of patients in research projects is to collaborate between centres. This also gives the benefit to any study of a wider pool of patients geographically and services using slightly different techniques. There are also benefits as those involved in the field can share and refine ideas for ECT research projects and for the purposes of applying for grant funding. In the area of audit centres will be able to compare data and to use or develop consistent tools.
How will we collaborate?
The University of Aberdeen will hold a list of clinicians and academics who are interested in collaborating on ECT studies and/or audit. It would be possible for anyone planning a study to access this list to contact appropriate collaborators of their choice. Information on active studies and a message board for interested colleagues will be hosted on the University of Aberdeen Mental Health website. The Royal College of Psychiatrists will also have a web-link to the collaboration website.
Who should collaborate?
The list of collaborators will include clinicians and academics. It will be for the investigator consulting the list to decide who they consider would be most appropriate to collaborate with. The active projects section of the website may provide some guidance on this topic.
What sorts of projects will be suitable for collaboration?
It is anticipated that various types of project would be suitable ranging from multi-centred randomised controlled trials which have attracted significant grant funding to smaller narrative or observational studies.
How will the collaboration be publicised?
The collaboration will be discussed with interested individuals at the Royal College of Psychiatrists Training Days in November 2010. The information will be cascaded through ECTAS and SEAN to ensure that all relevant clinicians are aware. It will also be available on the University of Aberdeen and Royal College of Psychiatrists web-sites.
Acknowledgements
Where the Collaboration has been used by investigators it is expected that it will be acknowledged in any publication arising from the project.
How do I get more information?
More information will shortly be found at www.abdn.ac.uk/mentalhealth or can be obtained from Dr Daniel M Bennett, Clinical Lecturer in Psychiatry, University of Aberdeen at d.m.bennett@abdn.ac.uk
