Implementation of a Novel Innovative Digital Health Study in Border Regions between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Title: Implementation of a Novel Innovative Digital Health Study in Border Regions between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Author(s): J. Walsh E. Mac Hale L. Lombard C. Mulvey T. McCartan V. Brennan G. Green RW. Costello.
Institution: Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland
Poster: Click to view poster
Category: Asthma and COPD
Abstract: In Ireland and the UK, most clinical research is conducted in large specialist services in academic teaching hospitals. Staff and patients in these centres have the opportunity to be involved in trials. This is not the case for those living in border regions between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The CHITIN project is a collaborative project between the RCSI and the Cross-border Healthcare Intervention Trials in Ireland Network (CHITIN).
A clinical trial of a novel innovative digital health study (INCA Sun Study) was deployed to four border region hospitals; Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Craigavon Hospital, Cavan General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. A post-test analysis survey was conducted with staff from each site (n=19).
All staff reported having appropriate training/education for this role. 84% stated their guidance and training was adequate for the supporting structure. Barriers to implementing this study were; ethical approval process and significant delays from GDPR (26%), difficulty executing contracts (42%) and patient recruitment due to time constraints (52%).
In conclusion, while the results of this survey state that staff members in border regions were well trained, future studies in border regions can benefit from; practical knowledge of the different jurisdictions involved, early and well-tailored ethical committee applications and suitable time frame to facilitate patient recruitment.