Declan Devane
Professor of Health Research Methodology and Scientific Director of the HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network
Niamh Mahon
Project Manager, Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network
Global clinical trials and patient partnerships are helping shape how critical care research reaches patients in intensive care units across Ireland.
The Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network (ICC-CTN), based at University College Dublin, coordinates critical care research across Ireland and works with international partners to improve care for patients in intensive care units.
In collaboration with the Health Research Board Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN), the ICC-CTN recently brought together international research leaders, early-career investigators and Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) researchers and contributors at the HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN)10th Annual Symposium. Participants explored how globally designed clinical trials can make a meaningful difference to local healthcare. The theme was ‘Making Global Care Local: Innovations & Collaboration in Clinical Trials.’
Benefits of platform trials
The symposium focused on the future of platform trials and other innovative trial designs. Unlike traditional clinical trial models, platform trials test several interventions at the same time within a single, ongoing research structure. This shared structure can produce clinical answers faster, reduce administrative and financial demands and may require fewer patients to reach meaningful conclusions.
Global trial networks also create professional opportunities
for researchers early in their career
Because the same trial structure stays in place, research teams can study several questions without building a separate trial from the ground up each time. Platform trials can also support precision and personalised medicine, including through substudies that collect biological samples.
A major highlight was a keynote address by Professor John Marshall (Founding Chair, International Forum of Acute Care Trialists), who offered a forward-looking vision on the evolution of platform trials in intensive care units (ICUs). He said international adaptive platforms are reshaping critical care research worldwide and can create opportunities for Irish patients to take part in major global studies that may influence future standards of care.
Global trial networks also create professional opportunities for researchers early in their career. Participating in large research programmes allows them to build practical skills in innovative trial methods, work with international experts and lead specific trial areas, biosampling substudies and additional analyses projects.
Patient partnerships in trial design
Patient and public partnerships were another focus, including the establishment of a new international PPI group that advises three global platform trials: REMAP-CAP, PANTHER and PRACTICAL. The group brings together patient representatives from Ireland, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Canada and Australia. Their lived experience helps inform how the trials are designed and run.
By bringing together adaptive trial methods, institutional partnerships and patient input, the symposium showed how international trial networks can help bring advances from global trials closer to bedside care in Irish ICUs.
HRB Trials Methodology Research Network: hrb-tmrn.ie
Irish Critical Care Clinical Trials Network & PPI: iccctn.org
Principal Investigator Training Programme for ECRs: https://iccctn.org/principal-investigator-training-programme/pi-training-programme
