A qualitative study on the facilitators and barriers to adopting the N-of-1 trial methodology as part of clinical practice: potential versus implementation challenges

Purpose To investigate opinions among healthcare stakeholders whether implementation of the N-of-1 trial approach in clinical practice is a feasible way to optimize evidence-based treatment results for unique patients. Methods We interviewed clinicians, researchers, and a patient advocate (n = 13) w...

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Main Authors: Ilona Wilmont, Mark Loeffen, Thomas Hoogeboom
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2318810
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author Ilona Wilmont
Mark Loeffen
Thomas Hoogeboom
author_facet Ilona Wilmont
Mark Loeffen
Thomas Hoogeboom
author_sort Ilona Wilmont
collection DOAJ
description Purpose To investigate opinions among healthcare stakeholders whether implementation of the N-of-1 trial approach in clinical practice is a feasible way to optimize evidence-based treatment results for unique patients. Methods We interviewed clinicians, researchers, and a patient advocate (n = 13) with an interest in or experience with N-of-1 trials on the following topics: experience with N-of-1, measurement, validity and reliability, informally gathered data usability, and influence on physician-patient relationship. Interviews were analysed using qualitative, thematic analysis. Results The N-of-1 approach has the potential to shift the current healthcare system towards embracing personalized medicine. However, its application in clinical practice carries significant challenges in terms of logistics, time investment and acceptability. New skills will be required from patients and healthcare providers, which may alter the patient-physician relationship. The rise of consumer technology enabling self-measurement may leverage the uptake of N-of-1 approaches in clinical practice. Conclusions There is a strong belief that the N-of-1 approach has the potential to play a prominent role in transitioning the current healthcare system towards embracing personalized medicine. However, there are many barriers deeply ingrained in our healthcare system that hamper the uptake of the N-of-1 approach, making it momentarily only interesting for research purposes.
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spelling doaj-art-e7c494446eb4449984457700ee5ceccf2024-12-13T15:19:02ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312024-12-0119110.1080/17482631.2024.23188102318810A qualitative study on the facilitators and barriers to adopting the N-of-1 trial methodology as part of clinical practice: potential versus implementation challengesIlona Wilmont0Mark Loeffen1Thomas Hoogeboom2HAN University of Applied SciencesFysiotherapie LentRadboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health SciencesPurpose To investigate opinions among healthcare stakeholders whether implementation of the N-of-1 trial approach in clinical practice is a feasible way to optimize evidence-based treatment results for unique patients. Methods We interviewed clinicians, researchers, and a patient advocate (n = 13) with an interest in or experience with N-of-1 trials on the following topics: experience with N-of-1, measurement, validity and reliability, informally gathered data usability, and influence on physician-patient relationship. Interviews were analysed using qualitative, thematic analysis. Results The N-of-1 approach has the potential to shift the current healthcare system towards embracing personalized medicine. However, its application in clinical practice carries significant challenges in terms of logistics, time investment and acceptability. New skills will be required from patients and healthcare providers, which may alter the patient-physician relationship. The rise of consumer technology enabling self-measurement may leverage the uptake of N-of-1 approaches in clinical practice. Conclusions There is a strong belief that the N-of-1 approach has the potential to play a prominent role in transitioning the current healthcare system towards embracing personalized medicine. However, there are many barriers deeply ingrained in our healthcare system that hamper the uptake of the N-of-1 approach, making it momentarily only interesting for research purposes.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2318810n-of-1 trialsindividual point of care studiessingle case designssingle subject researchpersonalized healthcarepersonal science
spellingShingle Ilona Wilmont
Mark Loeffen
Thomas Hoogeboom
A qualitative study on the facilitators and barriers to adopting the N-of-1 trial methodology as part of clinical practice: potential versus implementation challenges
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
n-of-1 trials
individual point of care studies
single case designs
single subject research
personalized healthcare
personal science
title A qualitative study on the facilitators and barriers to adopting the N-of-1 trial methodology as part of clinical practice: potential versus implementation challenges
title_full A qualitative study on the facilitators and barriers to adopting the N-of-1 trial methodology as part of clinical practice: potential versus implementation challenges
title_fullStr A qualitative study on the facilitators and barriers to adopting the N-of-1 trial methodology as part of clinical practice: potential versus implementation challenges
title_full_unstemmed A qualitative study on the facilitators and barriers to adopting the N-of-1 trial methodology as part of clinical practice: potential versus implementation challenges
title_short A qualitative study on the facilitators and barriers to adopting the N-of-1 trial methodology as part of clinical practice: potential versus implementation challenges
title_sort qualitative study on the facilitators and barriers to adopting the n of 1 trial methodology as part of clinical practice potential versus implementation challenges
topic n-of-1 trials
individual point of care studies
single case designs
single subject research
personalized healthcare
personal science
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2318810
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