Participants, recruitment and sampling
MAY, RECRUITMENT
The study took part in NHS hospitals in North, Central and South England, and Wales. Extended Scope Practitioners (ESPs) and Principal Investigators (PIs) from each of the eight trial sites were invited to participate in this embedded process evaluation. All were individuals who were involved in delivering the STAR care pathway in the trial.ESPs and PIs were known to the team as they were in regular contact about the trial. The nature and aims of the research meant that the participants were all involved in the delivery of the STAR care pathway in the trial. Three of the PIs were also collaborators on the STAR Programme Grant application and had advised on development of the care pathway. Their inclusion as participants is appropriate as they have a practical knowledge and experience of how the STAR care pathway was implemented. In any research programme those involved in developing it may also be those who go on to deliver the research. We have ensured that their views are balanced with those of the three PIs who were not previously involved in the STAR Programme.Potential participants were invited to take part in this qualitative study after sites closed to trial recruitment in May 2019. The timing of the invitation was to ensure that included ESPs and PIs had experience of implementing the STAR care pathway. Interviews were conducted between August and October 2019. The qualitative study lead (AJM) sent ESPs and PIs an information pack via email describing the purpose of the study and what was involved. Potential participants responded by reply to the email and a mutually convenient time for telephone interview was arranged. Participants completed an electronic consent form before interview, including consent to audio-recording and publication of anonymous quotations.Our approach to sample identification and sample size was pragmatic and aimed to achieve inclusion of participants from all eight trial sites. All clinicians with experience of implementing the STAR care pathway were invited to take part. In total, fourteen ESPs and PIs from across seven sites participated in the study out of a potential 21 ESPs and PIs from eight sites.