Finding the Optimal Regimen for Mycobacterium abscessus Treatment, FORMaT, Trial Consumer Advisory Panel
Expression of Interest
Study Overview
Mycobacterium abscessus (MABS) are a group of bacteria that can cause infections in humans – in particular chest infections (known as a MABS chest infection). These bacteria can multiply quickly and are difficult to treat as they are often resistant to many antibiotics.
People who have existing lung conditions like cystic fibrosis (CF) or a condition called bronchiectasis are more likely to get MABS chest infection. The number of people who get MABS chest infections is small, but these infections are becoming more common.
Some MABS chest infections can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. We do not know the best way to treat this challenging infection and currently, the treatment involves several different antibiotics that need to be used for up to two years. This treatment may cause a lot of side effects and does not always get rid of MABS lung infection. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find effective treatments to rid the lungs of MABS infection.
The Finding the Optimal Regimen for Mycobacterium abscessus Treatment, FORMaT, Trial is a study designed to find out which combination of antibiotics and duration of treatment will best treat MABS chest infections. The FORMaT trial is also designed to find which combination of antibiotics causes the least amount of side effects for the person receiving the treatment.
Purpose of the role
The purpose of the consumer advisory panel is to provide a consumer and community perspective to various aspects of the FORMaT trial. This includes advice on participant facing documents such as consent forms, future research plans including new proposals for new treatments to be added to the study, grant applications requesting funding support for the study, and lay summaries of the study and any study results. Members of the Consumer Advisory Panel may also be invited to join trial committee meetings to provide their perspective.
Consumer Panel Membership Criteria include any of the following:
• Current or past consumers who have been diagnosed with MABS lung infection
• Parents or carers of people who have current or past MABS lung infection
• People with bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis
• Member of an advocacy or support group that focusses on MABS lung infection or cystic fibrosis
Key duties/responsibilities:
• Complete consumer participation in health research training. This training is completed online and is free of charge. It will take approximately 1 hour.
• Participate in meetings every six months, either face-to-face or virtually dependant on the consumer panel members’ preferences. Each meeting will run for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Contribute to discussions and offer your perspective on current study processes and/or issues, future study plans, and study strategies.
• Review participant facing study documents, lay summaries of study results and grant applications aimed at securing funding for the study.
• May be requested to attend FORMaT committee meetings where appropriate.
• Respect other members and respect confidentiality of discussions and any study documents.
Time Commitment
• Half yearly meetings – scheduling will be determined via a poll of all members.
• Additional attendance may be requested at FORMaT committee meetings depending on interest of members and ability to attend scheduled meeting date/time.
• Time may be required to review any relevant study documents.
Benefits for members
• Meet others who have similar lived experience of MABS lung infection or caring for someone with MABS lung infection
• Developing a range of skills including working in groups and representing the needs of your peers
• Advise on future MABS studies and planning for these to achieve the goals of the study
• Develop problem solving skills
Reimbursements
Members will be remunerated for their time and effort.
• $50 per hour for meetings
• Remuneration will be provided for review of documents based on length and complexity of document.
How to apply
Interested applications are to complete the application form and email to FORMaT Project Manager at formattrial@health.qld.gov.au
