In order to determine if our CHARMER intervention is effective, we will aim to develop a set of core outcomes (effects). This will determine what outcomes are the most important for us to measure, to test whether the CHARMER intervention is safe and effective. For example, one outcome to consider might be the number of hospital readmissions after deprescribing. This process we will use to ask our stakeholders about the important outcomes is called a ‘Delphi study’.
We will ask participants in this study to look at a list of outcomes collated from previous research studies and the expertise of the CHARMER research team. This list will be refined by participants to ensure the selected outcomes are the most pertinent effects to measure.
The finalised selection of outcomes will become part of the core outcome set. We will collect data on these outcomes in Work Package 3 (feasibility study) and Work Package 4 (definitive trial) to test the CHARMER intervention. The core outcome set will also provide an agreed standardised set of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all subsequent hospital deprescribing trials.
Patient and public involvement members will advise on the design and content of materials for practitioner participants and work collaboratively with work package leads to develop the patient/carer study materials. They will also support preparation with research assistants to undertake telephone interviews with stakeholders and will be integral members of the research team when analysing results from the Delphi study.
