• Mohammad I Zia, Ronald Heslegrave, and Gary E Newton.
• Division of Cardiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. mo.zia@utoronto.ca
• J Med Ethics. 2011 Dec 1; 37 (12): 762-5.

BackgroundThe post-trial period is the time period after the end of study drug administration. It is unclear whether post-trial arrangements for patient surveillance are routinely included in study protocols and consents, and whether research ethics boards (REB) consider the post-trial period.ObjectivesThe objective was to determine whether trial protocols and consent forms reviewed by the REB describe procedures for post-trial period surveillance.MethodsAn observational study of protocols of randomised trials of chronic therapies for cardiac conditions, approved by the REB of two academic institutions affiliated with the University of Toronto in Canada (University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital) from 1995 to 2007. Plans for patient surveillance in the post-trial period described in the protocol or in the consent form before and after REB approval were recorded.Results42 studies were identified including 18 heart failure and 15 coronary artery disease trials. Only four studies planned a clinical visit after trial termination, and an additional three planned a telephone contact after trial completion. Five trials submitted consent forms to the REB with a discussion of the post-trial period.ConclusionsThe majority of protocols and consent forms did not discuss plans for post-trial period surveillance. The post-trial period and the REB approval process could be improved by systematic follow-up being described in the protocol and consent form. The small number of trial protocols evaluated in the study may impair the degree to which the results can be generalised.

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