Trials Methodology Funding Success: University of Limerick Secures Funding to Develop Core Outcome Set for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.
Health Research Board – Investigator Led Projects Announced 2024
The University of Limerick and HRB-TMRN is proud to celebrate the success of Professor Rose Galvin, whose research in trials methodology in the area of geriatric care has been awarded €428,904. Professor Galvin’s project focuses on developing a Core Outcome Set (COS) for research evaluating the effectiveness of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). This achievement highlights UL’s leadership in advancing trials methodology research, particularly in addressing the complex healthcare needs of older adults.
News of the award was announced on Sept 17th, via press release from the Health Research Board. Read the full article here.
The Importance of Core Outcome Set Research
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) has emerged as a vital model of care for older adults, proactively addressing their multifaceted needs. While it originated as a hospital-based approach for frail older individuals, CGA has since expanded into various medical fields, including emergency medicine, surgery, oncology, and long-term care.
However, one of the major challenges in CGA research has been the inconsistency in outcome reporting across clinical trials, which has made it difficult to synthesise results and draw meaningful conclusions. This is where COS research becomes critical. By developing standardised outcomes for CGA studies, Professor Galvin’s work will ensure that future research is both comparable and comprehensive, allowing for more accurate evaluations of CGA’s effectiveness across diverse settings. This will ensure that key outcomes are consistently measured in future clinical trials, which is crucial for generating robust data that can inform both clinical practice and policy-making.
A Comprehensive Methodological Approach & PPI Partnership
Prof Galvin’s study will encompass a scoping review of existing trials to determine commonly reported outcomes and instruments. A rapid evidence synthesis to identify outcomes important to older adults themselves. Participatory research methods to gather input from older adults, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.
A consensus-building process using an e-Delphi study and meetings with key stakeholders to finalize the core outcomes. Group discussions to identify recommended outcome measures. By involving older adults not just as participants but as co-researchers, the project ensures that the outcomes developed reflect their real-life experiences and priorities.
Why This Research Matters
The development of a COS for CGA research is a major step forward in improving clinical trial outcomes when applying CGA. It addresses a crucial gap in geriatric care research by providing standardised outcome measures that will improve the quality of clinical trials and systematic reviews. This, in turn, will help create more accurate clinical guidelines and support healthcare professionals in delivering better care for older adults.
By producing comparable data across trials, Professor Galvin’s COS project will enable researchers to better understand the full impact of CGA on patient outcomes, regardless of the setting or specialty. This work has the potential to influence not only future research but also healthcare policies aimed at improving geriatric care globally.
