1. Click to start

2. Getting started The Trial Protocol Tools aims to make it easier to write a high quality protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. This overview will show you how the Trial Protocol Tool can help you. The Trial Protocol Tool Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards

3. Moving around the tool Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards The Trial Protocol Tool works like a normal Windows Help system or many websites. The left-hand window is for navigation while the bigger right-hand window shows the content. The navigation window works in the same way as Windows Explorer. There is also a search function. Content Navigation

4. Finding documents with search Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards The search looks at every word in the Trial Protocol Tool so it is a powerful way of finding what you are looking for. Type search word and click ‘Search’ Click on the document on the left that looks most interesting and it is then shown in the right hand window

5. The five main sections Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards There are six main sections in the Trial Protocol Tool: What should be in a good protocol? Useful Documents Protocol Library Teaching Resources Web Resources Glossary There is also as a protocol template giving all the headings your protocol will need to address. The template is in two formats: Word and Rich Text. The main parts of the Trial Protocol Tool are ‘What should be in a good protocol?’, the Protocol Library and the Teaching Resources.

6. What should be in a good protocol? Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards There are 19 sections in ‘What should be in a good protocol?’ covering all the essential parts of a protocol.

7. Each section has the same layout Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards Each section has a standard layout. The Introduction gives basic information, then comes a checklist of things to remember. Then come several examples from real protocols, followed by additional things that will help. Finally there is a list of useful references.

8. Illustrated examples Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards Every illustrated example is take from a real protocol in the Protocol Library. Clicking on the go to protocol link takes you to the pdf version of the full protocol.

9. Lots of extra resources Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards Many documents have an ‘Additional resources’ section. These can be checklists, images and even programs. Others need an internet connection. These have a icon. Some are stored in the Trial Protocol Tool. These have a icon.

10. The Protocol Library Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards The Protocol Library contains full, pdf versions of trial protocols.

11. Teaching Resources Click the mouse for the next slide, or use the arrow keys to backwards and forwards The Teaching Resources are Powerpoint presentations on aspects of randomised controlled trials and, in addition, a Clinical Trial Simulator that allows you to explore the effect of, for example, sample size and loss-to-follow-up on a trial.

12. What’s next? Click to see the overview again, or select a document to start using the Trial Protocol Tool Hopefully you will now have a feel for how the Trial Protocol Tool is organised and how it can help you write a good protocol. If you would like more information about the Practihc project you can go to: www.practihc.org If you would like to give feedback on the Trial Protocol Tool you can send an email to Shaun Treweek at streweek@mac.com or Andy Oxman at oxman@online.no. 2nd April 2005