Table 1 RUG activity log
| RUG activity | Value to OSCARSS |
|---|---|
| Adaptation of the chosen intervention (CSNAT) (within copyright boundaries) | Focussed on stroke rather than palliative care (CSNAT-Stroke) and developed a paper action plan |
| Development of staff training package to implement intervention | Improved likelihood of intervention fidelity and increased staff ‘buy-in’ to the approach |
| Early protocol discussion raised the possibility of carers not identifying as ‘carers’ which may affect recruitment | Consideration of the use of the term ‘carer’ and highlighting awareness of this in recruitment |
| Participant recruitment: RUG gave advice on possible experiences of carers and suggested ways to approach recruitment to encourage engagement. RUG suggested the first contact with the carer participants should be in person or over the phone to increase recruitment | • The protocol was changed so that potential participants were given courtesy calls in advance of postal packs being sent out. • Recruitment protocol amended so that potential participants were given more time to decide and could be approached later, this was anecdotally reported to have increased recruitment rates |
| Selection of the primary outcome from a choice of measures | A primary outcome selected that was deemed relevant and important to carers, with language that was accessible and low perceived burden for completion |
| Developing the participant information sheet | Accessible and jargon-free for carer participants - used as an example for other research |
| Promotion of the role of the RUG in this study at conferences | Opportunities for the RUG to develop their own skills and knowledge around dissemination |
| Interpretation and dissemination of the study process and findings. | • Actively involved in interpreting qualitative themes in the process evaluation and interpretation of study findings • Wrote an accessible and jargon-free report on findings for carer participants • Presented work at conferences internationally and nationally |
| Publishing the experience of PCPI involvement in the OSCARSS study | The RUG wanted to tell others about the importance of getting involved in research and the two co-authors have been actively involved in this paper |