A newly published randomised controlled trial (RCT) used an innovative trial design to rapidly roll out a behavioural intervention aimed at reducing infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the trial’s results, published in Implementation Science, found the Germ Defence website did not appear to reduce infections during the pandemic, they do show how trusted research environments (TREs) can be used to evaluate new treatments safely and quickly.
This was the first RCT where follow up was conducted entirely within a TRE. The study’s novel design meant GP practices and patients did not have to return any data, as all analysis was conducted via the OpenSAFELY TRE. OpenSAFELY TRE gives researchers access to 40% of the English population’s anonymous health records.
Germ Defence is a behaviour change website that gives practical advice on how to reduce the spread of infection in the home. It was found to be effective in reducing the spread of seasonal and swine flu in a previous RCT.