Interpretation and implications for future research
cancer
CANCER, RECRUITMENT
While we successfully recruited our target sample size with an enrolment rate of 11.0%, confidence intervals ranged from 8.4% to 14.1% and in a future pilot RCT we will continue to identify participants via additional sources such as cancer organizations and interest groups. Further, we targeted parents of children treated for cancer with a self‐reported need for psychological support. Lack of recognition of one's psychological difficulties and lack of acknowledgement for the need of support, are commonly identified barriers to seeking help.Our study dropout rate of 24.0% bettered progression criteria of ≤30%. Confidence intervals ranged from 14.9% to 35.3% and we aim to minimize study dropout in the forthcoming future pilot RCT by continuing to use retention strategies, including telephone remindersOur intervention adherence rate of 47.9% was slightly lower than progression criteria (≥50%) and there was no evidence of harm. Results suggest the intervention may be feasible and acceptable for the population and are in line with other research suggesting internet‐administered delivery mechanisms are acceptable to parents of children on cancer treatmentRecruitment of experienced research personnel was challengingPsychology program student e‐therapists did not have time to support caseloads and more experienced licensed psychologists and a CBT‐therapist supported the majority of participants. Further, psychology program student e‐therapists spent a mean time of 2.9 h per participant, per week, which is more therapist time than reported in other studies on guided internet‐administered CBT interventions.In summary, the following modifications to the study protocol and EJDeR are warranted before commencing a pilot RCT: (1) collection of outcome assessment data via telephone; (2) reducing the number of measures; (3) adaptation of the intervention to improve the feasibility and acceptability of EJDeR; (4) recruitment of a trial coordinator; (5) recruitment of part‐time employed e‐therapists to increase caseloads and decrease time spent on each participant; (6) use of electronic CRFs to facilitate data collection and entry; and (7) training of research team members to collect research data over the telephone.