Table VII.

Supporting families: barriers and facilitators to recruitment.

Barriers to recruitment

Injury causes a challenging time for families who may experience anxiety and distress to see their child injured and face decisions about clinical trial participation. Challenging to communicate the study and answer questions in a simple way. Only one parent allowed in hospital with the child, owing to COVID-19 restrictions. Families’ prior experience of fractures and surgery may influence views of the treatments. Beliefs about treatments and clinical trials. Research hesitancy.

Facilitators to recruitment

Giving families time to discuss and reach a decision about participation together. Exploring and alleviating parent concerns about treatment. Tailoring information to the needs of the family. Experienced clinicians discussing the study and treatments with confidence. Exploring reasons for treatment preferences to ensure they are informed. Reassuring parents both treatments are good and used within the NHS to alleviate concerns about testing the treatment. Use of explainer videos to explain key concepts and treatments.