2. Methodology of the Qualitative Research Trial (Mixed Methods Approach)
pain
RECRUITMENT
A qualitative research project was conducted after the comparative trial was terminated. An explanatory sequential research design was hereby applied, in which quantitative data collection and analyses occurred first, followed by qualitative data collection and analyses [An easy-to-fill online questionnaire was created and consisted of 25 items (for an example see: The digital survey (see A slimmed-down version of the survey was also sent to accredited multidisciplinary pain centers in Belgium (a total of 35 RIZIV/INAMI accredited multidisciplinary pain centers), that had not previously participated in the PELICAN study. Several questions specific to the PELICAN study were hereby omitted, but the more general questions on LNP and its treatment were retained (see Based on the feedback gathered from the participating pain centers during both the PELICAN trial and qualitative study, some crucial reasons for recruitment failure became apparent. These had not been identified while drafting the study protocol or during the feasibility study performed to assess this study's viability. These factors can be subdivided into study-related and more general causes related to the organization of pain management at the national level in Belgium. It is imperative that these findings be communicated and further elaborated on in a peer-reviewed publication considering their impact on public health. Furthermore, these findings should be accessible to the broader public and known to other research groups, so that they can be identified and addressed during the conception of future trial protocols.