CTC in Learning: The AuTOMATIC trial: a multi-arm Bayesian adaptive randomised controlled trial of text messaging to improve childhood immunisation coverage

About this event:

This 10,000-participant adaptative randomised trial compared 12 different SMS reminder content and timing options and control (no SMS) for improving childhood vaccination coverage and timeliness. We expect this to be an exemplar for digital clinical trials due to the innovative statistical approach and infrastructure, enabling high levels of trial automation.

This presentation will cover:

Need for interventions, like SMS reminders, to improve childhood vaccination coverage and timeliness.
Development of novel infrastructure and methods to automate adaptive clinical trials
AuTOMATIC trial results

About the speakers:

Grace Currie

Research Officer and PhD Student, University of Sydney

Senior Program Manager, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network

Grace is a Research Officer, PhD student at the Health and Clinical Analytics team (University of Sydney), and Senior Program Manager of the Learning Health Unit (Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network). Grace’s research involves understanding the enablers of learning health systems, including the design and adoption of technology for embedding research into care.

James Totterdell

Senior Biostatistician, University of Sydney

James Totterdell is a Senior Biostatistician at the Health and Clinical Analytics team in the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health. James has been the biostatistician for several adaptive trials, including the ASCOT-ADAPT trial which won 2023 ACTA’s STInG Excellence in Trial Statistics award. James is interested in applying statistical methods to the design of trials that provide impact and benefits to healthcare.

About CTC in Learning

CTC in Learning is an NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) led education initiative aimed at FMH and University of Sydney staff as well as external academics and clinical research professionals. The program provides a convenient and unique forum for academics, researchers and clinical trials professionals to learn from experts in clinical trials science, methodology, and operational research.