SMaRT quality assurance: making sure the treatment given is the treatment intended

Jane Walker

University of Edinburgh, UK

SMaRT (Symptom Management Research Trials) Oncology is a series of clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of a complex intervention for depression in patients with cancer. The intervention Depression Care for People with Cancer is delivered by specially trained cancer nurses, supervised by psychiatrists.

Quality assurance is required to ensure patient safety and adherence to the treatment manual. This is achieved through standardised training, competency assessments, regular supervision and adherence ratings of video-recorded intervention sessions.

The methods of quality assurance used in the SMaRT Oncology trials will be discussed, with reference to their feasibility in clinical practice.