Starting a conversation about estimands with public partners involved in clinical trials: a co-developed tool.

Background: Clinical trials aim to draw conclusions about the effects of treatments, but a trial can address many different potential questions. For example, does the treatment work well for patients who take it as prescribed? Or does it work regardless of whether patients take it exactly as prescribed? Since different questions can lead to different conclusions on treatment benefit, it is important to clearly understand what treatment effect a trial aims to investigate-this is called the 'estimand'. Using estimands helps to ensure trials are designed and analysed to answer the questions of interest to different stakeholders, including patients and public.

Exploring the care experience of patients undergoing spinal surgery: a qualitative study.

Purpose: This exploratory study sought to explore the patient experience of the surgical journey from decision to operate, to hospitalization, discharge and subsequent recovery.

Design: Patients attended one of two focus group discussions.

Patient Sample: Seven patients that had undergone surgery for spinal stenosis or disc prolapsed participated, aged between 48-75 years (mean age 59); five were male.

An evaluation of a postoperative rehabilitation program after spinal surgery and its impact on outcome.

Study Design: This study invited patients to evaluate the content and style of a rehabilitation program used as an intervention in a multicenter, factorial, randomized controlled trial of the postoperative management of spinal surgery patients.

Objective: To determine the acceptability and content of the rehabilitation program.

Summary Of Background Data: The use of rehabilitation after spinal surgery is sporadic, and the evidence for its benefit is mixed.