Harvard Catalyst Profiles

Embedded pragmatic clinical trials (ePCTs) are an appealing and efficient approach to compare the real-world effectiveness and safety of different pharmacotherapies, but the success of such ePCTs largely hinges on the ability to reliably recruit, randomize, and retain patients. Our team studies the use of approved (on-label) and unapproved (off-label) medications for insomnia, and we are conducting a study to better understand barriers and facilitators to physicians and patients participating in ePCTs where the pharmacologic treatment for insomnia is randomized. This qualitative project will involve conducting and analyzing data from surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups with physicians and patients with insomnia. Interested students will have the opportunity to participate in the data collection and analysis process, preferably as an HMS Scholarly Project. Prior experience in qualitative research is ideal, though not required. The findings from this project will help inform the design of future ePCTs involving insomnia pharmacotherapies to ensure that the design of such trials is sensitive to and adequately addresses the concerns of patients and physicians.