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Embedding qualitative work within randomised controlled trials: Experiences of clinically supported antipsychotic reductions within the 'RADAR' trial.
Seminar details
This seminar took place in October 2024.
Title: Embedding qualitative work within randomised controlled trials: Experiences of clinically supported antipsychotic reductions within the 'RADAR' trial.
Abstract
Embedding qualitative research into randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is an increasingly recognised way to enhance understandings and complement trial findings. In this talk I will show how qualitative work within a recently completed mental health trial was able to do this. Long-term antipsychotic medication is a standard treatment for people with recurrent psychosis / schizophrenia that provides effective symptom control and relapse prevention but is often disliked by users due to high side effect burdens. The ‘RADAR’ trial recruited 253 individuals and compared gradual and clinically guided reduction of antipsychotic medication with maintenance treatment, measuring social functioning and relapse at 24 months. We conducted in-depth interviews with a sample of service users in the medication reduction arm of the trial. I will present selected data to illustrate how findings enabled more complex understandings, captured what was important to service users, and suggested avenues for future investigation based on ways that individuals made sense of medication reduction experiences. The talk will end with reflections, based on experiences of several trial-based projects, on the challenges and pitfalls of this form of qualitative work and on how best to maximise the added value of qualitative work, considering design and team dynamic issues.
Speaker biography
Nicola Morant is Professor of Qualitative Mental Health Research in the UCL Division of Psychiatry. She leads qualitative work within larger mixed-methods projects to explore the experiences and perspectives of stakeholders (particularly service users) in mental health. Her specific research interests focus on experiences of medication for mental health problems and the development of shared decision-making for psychiatric medication management. Nicola is Director of the UCL Qualitative Health Research Network (QHRN) and is passionate about promoting qualitative methods in health research and training the next generation of qualitative health researchers.