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Appendix 1 - Public TSC/SSC Member Role Description

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Published: 16 June 2021

Version: 1

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What the Trial Steering Committee / Study Steering Committee does

The role of the TSC/SSC is to provide overall independent supervision of a trial or study. “In particular, the TSC should concentrate on progress of the trial, adherence to the protocol, patient safety and the consideration of new information.” (MRC, 1998, 23-24)

The role of public members

Public members are involved in all aspects of the work of the TSC they join. Public members join on equal footing with the clinical and academic members. They bring to the discussion their experience of a particular condition or service as a patient or a carer, or members of the public who are affected by the issues being researched.
Through their lived experience they may contribute by:

  • considering the perspective of a potential study participant assisting with recruitment and retention plans
  • providing a fresh ‘critical friend’ perspective on the feasibility (practicalities and acceptability) of study design and
  • offering advice on the planned PPI in the study including adherence to protocol and milestones.

The public member’s perspective

As a public member they will have experience of a particular condition or service as a patient or a carer, or be a member of the public who is affected by the issues being researched.

A public member could consider the following questions.

  1. Is the PPI originally planned being implemented?
  2. Could PPI help in an area the study experiences challenges (e.g. recruitment, acceptability of the intervention, inclusion of all appropriate people and groups, promotion of the study)?
  3. Would people be interested in being recruited to this study?
  4. Would they want to stay involved for the whole study duration?
  5. If not, why not and how could this be addressed?
  6. Are the criteria for including/excluding people as participants fair and appropriate?
  7. Are there any aspects of the study design which don’t seem workable (practical and acceptable)?
  8. Do you think the timescale is achievable?
  9. Are you happy with the plans for how the results will be shared with all interested parties (for example, study participants, service users, patients, carers, service providers, clinicians, commissioners)?

Expectations of public members are the same as other members

  • To prepare for the meetings by looking at all the papers circulated from the perspective of a person who has experience of a particular condition or service as a patient or a carer, or a member of the public who is affected by the issues being researched.
  • To attend the TSC/SSC meetings whether held face-to-face or by telephone.
  • To liaise with the Chair regarding administrative matters between meetings.
  • To feedback on documents occasionally between meetings.
  • To contribute to discussions and decision-making that take place during meetings, based on experience and knowledge and on consideration of the papers provided.
  • To maintain the confidentiality of agenda papers, discussion and decisions made.

Terms and conditions

Public members should be provided with a description of the terms and conditions of the role at the outset to ensure the public member knows what to expect. These should include:

  • Duration of role 
  • How much preparatory work is expected
  • Time requirements including frequency and length of meetings and expected work in-between
  • Payments including rates and processes for receiving payment 
  • Expenses for public and private transport, food, drinks and if necessary accommodation
  • An access and support form should be included in appendix (see example here in appendix 2).
  • Declarations of interests to guard against potential conflicts of interest

Person specification

These are desirable not essential criteria. Ideally, public members of TSC/SSCs should be independent and therefore not involved other aspects of the study. They must not sit on another committee or group related to the same study.

Experience

  • Experience of a particular condition or service as a patient or a carer relevant to the topic of the study, or a member of the public who is affected by the issues being researched
  • Experience of participating in formal meetings
  • Experience of reading and reviewing written documents
  • Experience of working as part of a team
  • Experience of public involvement in research

Knowledge

  • An understanding of the importance of and need for health research
  • An understanding of the research process and public involvement

Skills

  • Confidence and ability to contribute relevant and succinct information to group discussion.
  • Ability to refer to personal experience and reflect on wider lay perspectives appropriately in discussion.
  • Ability to use e-mail, phone for teleconferencing and the internet.

Personal Characteristics

  • Interest in improving health care services and provision.
  • Willing to learn the skills of the role and to develop.
  • Ability to travel to venue of meetings.
  • Able to maintain the confidentiality of all study materials.