REthinking Clinical Trials (REaCT)

Patients, family members and health-care providers are surveyed to find out which questions are most important to them. REaCT questions typically focus on comparing commonly-used treatments, rather than testing new treatments. 

The research team conducts a systematic review of the evidence to determine if the question has been answered in previous studies. 

Clinicians, scientists, methodologists and health economists work together to design the trial, with input from patients and families. REaCT trials are typically designed so that a wide range of cancer patients can easily participate without the need for extra tests, hospital visits or lengthy consent forms. Pilot studies are often conducted to refine the trial design before moving on to a larger study. 

Patients are enrolled during regular clinic appointments and are often randomized to a treatment arm immediately, using mobile technology. Data are typically gathered in real-time from electronic medical records and through quality-of-life surveys. 

Findings are published in open-access journals, so that patients, clinicians and policymakers around the world can freely access results. Findings are also actively communicated to patient groups and other stakeholders. Economic impact is also assessed.