Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of reporting, in abstracts of randomized controlled trials, 1) the funding sources and 2) the conflicts of interest (COIs) of the authors on General Practitioners' confidence in the abstracts' conclusions. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial in 3 arms. Participants: General Practitioners (GP). They will be recruited among residents from the Primary Care department of the Paris Descartes University and among a GP network who agreed to participate to research studies. The allocation of participants will be done by a computerized randomization list, the sequence will be created by an independent statistician with a ratio 1: 1: 1. Participants will be blind of the hypothesis and of the randomization. Allocation concealment will be provided because only the statistician will have access to the randomization list. Methods: Three interventions will be assessed corresponding to three different types of abstracts: 1) abstracts not reporting neither the funding sources neither COIs of authors, 2) abstracts reporting funding sources and 3) abstracts reporting funding sources and COIs of authors. A sample of abstracts will be selected from published randomized trials, testing superiority, assessing pharmacological treatment, in the field of Primary Care and General Practice and having a conclusion in favor of the beneficial effect of experimental treatment in terms of tolerance and / or efficacy. They will then be standardized and modified to obtain three types of abstracts: 1) with funding sources, 2) with funding sources and COIs and 3) without either source of funding or COIs. Participants will be asked to assess one abstract of their randomization arm. Outcome: The primary endpoint will be the GPs' confidence in conclusions. The secondary endpoints will be the quality perception of the study and the interpretation of the benefit of experimental treatment. Responses will be ranged by a 10-point numeric scale. Potential interests: This study takes place in the field of Primary Care. We believe that better understandings of impact of funding sources and conflicts of interests are necessary to allow more transparency in medical research and in his translation into medical practice. Sample size expected: 354 participants.
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
GPS' confidence on the conclusion of the abstract
Timeframe: 30 days