U-CARE BrainPub: Generating evidence to support trial process decision-making using SWATs: what they are and when to use them

Randomised trials are a central component of all evidence-informed health care systems, and the evidence coming from them helps patients, healthcare professionals and others to make better decisions.

However, the evidence available to trialists themselves to support their decisions on the design, conduct and reporting of randomised trials is often poor or non-existent. One way to fill gaps in this evidence is to run Studies Within A Trial, or SWATs.

This seminar by Guest Professor Shaun Treweek will provide an introduction to SWATs, an explanation of why they are important, when to use them, and some practical ‘top tips’ that come from experience of doing SWATs.

The seminar will be held in English and is open to anyone interested.

About Shaun Treweek

Shaun Treweek is a Professor at the University of Aberdeen and a Guest Professor at the Department of Women's and Children's Health. With a background in physics and bioengineering, he now works in health services research, focusing on efficient and pragmatic trial design, recruitment and retention, and clear communication of research evidence. He leads Trial Forge, an initiative to improve how trials are designed and conducted, and has been involved in numerous clinical trials across a wide range of health areas.