Using pilot studies to inform health services

Abstract

A pilot study was conducted at the John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia in 1998?99 to inform a randomised controlled trial (RCT) for a cardiac rehabilitation intervention for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Although the RCT did not proceed, the pilot study results raised a number of issues. In this paper, the pilot is used to demonstrate how estimates of population benefit need to take into account patient eligibility, consent and adherence, and also how non-clinical data can inform the planning and development of health service interventions.