Planning for tranquil spaces in rural destinations through mixed methods research

There is a view that applied researchers produce more relevant findings for practitioners in the tourism industry if they use quantitative methods. This paper claims that findings relevant to industry can be produced through the use of qualitative methods of data collection, and indeed a unique perspective is offered by qualitative research that a quantitative approach may not produce. Furthermore, a mixed methods approach to research combines the advantages offered by both qualitative and quantitative research, and is advocated as an appropriate way forward when both types of data are needed. Using a unique mixed-methods study of the meaning of tranquillity to visitors to and authorities and residents in Dorset, Southern England, this paper illustrates the value of both qualitative and quantitative data to tourism planners. The study reveals that tranquillity was most commonly aligned to the natural environment whereas non-tranquillity concerned both sounds and sights of manmade origin

Optimisation of Perioperative Cardiovascular Management to Improve Surgical Outcome II (OPTIMISE II) trial: study protocol for a multicentre international trial of cardiac output-guided fluid therapy with low-dose inotrope infusion compared with usual care in patients undergoing major elective gastrointestinal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in older patients with comorbidities undergoing gastrointestinal surgery are a major burden on healthcare systems. Infections after surgery are common in such patients, prolonging hospitalisation and reducing postoperative short-term and long-term survival. Optimal management of perioperative intravenous fluids and inotropic drugs may reduce infection rates and improve outcomes from surgery. Previous small trials of cardiac-output-guided haemodynamic therapy algorithms suggested a modest reduction in postoperative morbidity. A large definitive trial is needed to confirm or refute this and inform widespread clinical practice. METHODS: The Optimisation of Perioperative Cardiovascular Management to Improve Surgical Outcome II (OPTIMISE II) trial is a multicentre, international, parallel group, open, randomised controlled trial. 2502 high-risk patients undergoing major elective gastrointestinal surgery will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio using minimisation to minimally invasive cardiac output monitoring to guide protocolised administration of intravenous fluid combined with low-dose inotrope infusion, or usual care. The trial intervention will be carried out during and for 4 hours after surgery. The primary outcome is postoperative infection of Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher within 30 days of randomisation. Participants and those delivering the intervention will not be blinded to treatment allocation; however, outcome assessors will be blinded when feasible. Participant recruitment started in January 2017 and is scheduled to last 3 years, within 50 hospitals worldwide. ETHICS/DISSEMINATION: The OPTIMISE II trial has been approved by the UK National Research Ethics Service and has been approved by responsible ethics committees in all participating countries. The findings will be disseminated through publication in a widely accessible peer-reviewed scientific journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN39653756.The OPTIMISE II trial is supported by Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, CA) and the UK National Institute for Health Research through RMP’s NIHR Professorship

The Majority of Patients with Relapsing Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis Are Not Eligible for Enrollment Onto Clinical Trials: Using Screen Failures to Define Major Unmet Medical Needs

Abstract Background: Hematologic response criteria in AL amyloidosis are based on reduction of FLCs and correlate with organ improvement and survival in the front-line setting (Palladini 2012). Hematologic progression is defined from complete response (CR) as any detectable monoclonal (m) protein or abnormal FLC ratio (light chain must double); and from partial response (PR) as a 50% increase in serum or urine m-protein to > 0.5g/dl or 200mg/d respectively; or a 50% increase in FLC to > 10mg/dL based on consensus criteria (Gertz 2005); while cardiac and renal progression criteria have recently been validated (Palladini 2012 & 2014). Trials enrolling relapsed pts define measurable disease by a difference in FLC (dFLC) >5mg/dl such that accurate responses (VGPR, PR) can be assessed. However, many pts with hematologic and/or organ progression fail to meet dFLC > 5mg/dL set by inclusion criteria (if progression from CR) or the high bar of FLC > 10mg/dL set by the progression criteria and are ineligible for clinical trials. Composite criteria for progression of disease involving both hematologic measures and biomarkers of organ damage do not exist. The goal of the current study was to characterize pts with AL and evidence of progressive disease who were ineligible for clinical trials in order to determine the magnitude of this problem and define potential AL study populations whose medical needs are not being met. Methods: Previously treated AL pts screened for clinical trials from 5/2013 to 5/2015 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Tufts Medical Center were reviewed retrospectively. Trials included 1) phase I/II trial of carfilzomib (NCT01789242), 2) phase I trial of ixazomib (NCT01318902) and 3) phase III trial of ixazomib/dexamethasone versus physician's choice (NCT01659658). Inclusion for all 3 required relapsed AL with dFLC >5mg/dl and evidence of organ damage. Pts with progressive hematologic and/or organ disease (by consensus or validated criteria) who were screened for these trials were included in this analysis. Results: Among 36 pts screened, 33% (N=12) enrolled. Yet, 67% (N=24) with hematologic (N=14), cardiac (N =6) and/or renal (N=11) progression were ineligible. Median age was 61 years (range, 41-78); prior lines of therapy were 1 in 38%, 2 in 38% and >2 in 25%. Median BNP, TROP, serum ALB, eGFR and 24hr urine total protein were: 283pg/mL (36-2197), 0ng/mL (0-0.09), 3.4g/dL (1.3-4.8), 66ml/min (7-128) and 1800 mg/24hrs (trace-12,875), respectively. Median involved FLC was 6.48mg/dl (0.93-52.6) and dFLC 4.69mg/dl (0.01-52). 58% (14/24) were ineligible due to dFLC 5mg/dl; 2 are being monitored for FLC progression with unclear clinical implications. One-third of patients ineligible for these trials have died. Conclusions: The finding that only 1/3 of pts with AL amyloidosis and hematologic or organ progression requiring therapy are eligible for clinical trials demonstrates the limitations of the current definitions of progression and "measurable disease" criteria for enrolling relapsed pts on trials. The necessary decision to treat pts with organ progression in advance of their meeting a criterion for FLC progression (to >10mg/dl) indicates that this arbitrarily defined value needs to be revised. Moreover, time to next therapy rather than progression free survival (as currently defined) is a more relevant clinical trial end point. More sensitive, validated hematologic progression and composite criteria defining progression of hematologic and organ disease are critically needed to identify patients whose level of hematologic disease progression and risk of organ damage is at variance with current criteria as defined by FLCs. This will enable novel therapies that have the potential to reduce the risks of end-stage organ failure and death to be tested in this population. Disclosures Landau: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Prothena: Consultancy, Honoraria; Onyx: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Takeda: Research Funding. Comenzo:Prothena: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Takeda Millennium: Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Landgren:BMJ Publishing: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Medscape: Honoraria; Onyx: Honoraria; International Myeloma Foundation: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding; BMJ Publishing: Consultancy; Medscape: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy. Giralt:CELGENE: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; TAKEDA: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; JAZZ: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AMGEN: Consultancy, Research Funding; SANOFI: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding