THE PRETEND TRIAL: A MIXED METHODS STUDY EVALUATING PREFERENCES, FEASIBILITY, AND COSTS OF PERFORMING SHAM SURGERY TRIALS INVOLVING MAJOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Grant number: 1163613 | Funding period: 2019 - 2021
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Abstract
Randomising patients to receive either an 'active' or a 'sham' (pretend) surgery and comparing the outcomes is the best way to test how effective a surgical procedure is. However, few orthopaedic surgeries have been tested in this way. This study aims to determine the feasibility of conducting a sham surgery trial in a major orthopaedic procedure by 1. identifying the conditions under which patients and surgeons would consider participating 2. Estimating how much it would cost.