Purpose of the study
Cardiac arrest trial participants are often enrolled under a waiver of consent. We conducted a survey study to describe what approaches have been adopted to informing relatives of trial participants who did not survive about clinical trial participation.
Materials and methods
For this survey study, we identified participants by searching three clinical trial registries for human out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest randomised controlled trials conducted since 2010 that evaluated intra-arrest interventions. The named contact listed on the trial registry entry was invited to complete the survey on behalf of their study
We developed the survey in collaboration with experienced critical care researchers to ensure content validity. Closed and open questions were included, and piloting was conducted to ensure appropriateness of response options. Closed response answers were analysed using descriptive statistics whilst open responses were coded to identify themes.
Ethical approval was granted by the University of Warwick Biomedical and Scientific Research Ethics Committee.
Results
Of 36 identified study contacts, we received 15 responses (response rate = 42%) from six countries across North America and Europe.
In five studies (33%), relatives were actively and directly informed of relatives’ participation- this was done by telephone (n=2, 40%), letter (n=1, 20%), by the clinician at scene (n=1, 20%), or a researcher post event (n=1,20%).
In seven studies (47%), a passive method of informing was used, whereby posters were displayed where relatives were likely to see them. In the remaining three studies (20%), relatives were not informed about enrolment.
Across all studies, the trial contact agreed or strongly agreed that they had adopted the best approach in relation to providing information to relatives.
Conclusions
There is variability across studies in the way that information about trial participation is provided to relatives of non-survivors.

1. Purpose of the study
Cardiac arrest trial participants are often enrolled under a waiver of consent. We conducted a survey study to describe what approaches have been adopted to informing relatives of trial participants who did not survive about clinical trial participation.
2. Materials and methods
For this survey study, we identified participants by searching three clinical trial registries for human out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest randomised controlled trials conducted since 2010 that evaluated intra-arrest interventions. The named contact listed on the trial registry entry was invited to complete the survey on behalf of their study
We developed the survey in collaboration with experienced critical care researchers to ensure content validity. Closed and open questions were included, and piloting was conducted to ensure appropriateness of response options. Closed response answers were analysed using descriptive statistics whilst open responses were coded to identify themes.
Ethical approval was granted by the University of Warwick Biomedical and Scientific Research Ethics Committee.
3. Results
Of 36 identified study contacts, we received 15 responses (response rate = 42%) from six countries across North America and Europe.
In five studies (33%), relatives were actively and directly informed of relatives’ participation- this was done by telephone (n=2, 40%), letter (n=1, 20%), by the clinician at scene (n=1, 20%), or a researcher post event (n=1,20%).
In seven studies (47%), a passive method of informing was used, whereby posters were displayed where relatives were likely to see them. In the remaining three studies (20%), relatives were not informed about enrolment.
Across all studies, the trial contact agreed or strongly agreed that they had adopted the best approach in relation to providing information to relatives.
4. Conclusions
There is variability across studies in the way that information about trial participation is provided to relatives of non-survivors.

Variability in approach to informing the relatives of non-surviving participants in cardiac arrest research: a questionnaire study

Implementation of the Guidelines - How do we put the new ERC Guidelines into practice?

On 16 and 17 June, we are organising our first-ever hybrid congress. You will be able to join us live at the beautiful conference venue in Antwerp, Belgium and present your Poster. 

We are happy to welcome you to Resuscitation 2022!