Characteristics of included papers synthesising expert views
| Citation | Trial-related context | Country of the trial/context | Type | Expert background | Level of evidence |
| 37 | Prophylactic antibiotics for neurosurgical procedure including clinical trials | USA | Opinion | Doctor/researcher | 5 |
| 28 | Trovafloxacine for meningitis in child trial Target patient: Minors | Nigeria-Kano | Opinion | Researcher in sociology | 5 |
| 24 | Phase IV clinical trials Target patient: Pregnant women | USA | Opinion | Doctor/researcher | 5 |
| 26 | The Closed or Open after Laparotomy (NCT03163095) Study (clinical trial for severe complicated intra-abdominal sepsis) | Canada | Opinion | Doctor/researcher | 5 |
| 31 | Pragmatic trials for pneumonia | USA | Opinion | Doctor/researcher | 5 |
| 36 | Clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines | International | Opinion | Doctor/researcher | 5 |
| 47 | Pharmacogenetics to Avoid Loss of Hearing trial (ISRCTN13704894) Target patient: Minors Consent giver: Parents | UK | Opinion | Doctor/researcher | 5 |
| 32 | Phase 1/2 clinical trials | – | Opinion | Pharmacological researchers | 5 |
| 27 | – | UK | Opinion | Doctor/researcher | 5 |
| 33 | Evaluating Diuretics in Normal Care Study (ISRCTN46635087) Cluster randomised trials of hypertension prescribing policy Discussed consent mode: opt-in/out | UK | Opinion | Doctor/researcher | 5 |
| 51 | Trials among stroke patients | USA | Opinion | Doctor/researcher | 5 |
| 30 | – | – | Opinion | Veterinarian | 5 |
| 29 | Clinical trials for Hospital-Acquired/Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia | USA | Meetings involving doctors and research staff in 2013 | An expert team of various stakeholders including academic scientists, clinicians, regulators, trial monitors and coordinators, and patient and industry representatives | 5 |
| 34 | Clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines Target patient: Pregnant women | USA | A public meeting involving doctors and research staff in 2021 | Stakeholder categories including academia, industry, governmental agencies and patient advocacy groups | 5 |
| 38 | Noninferiority treatment trial for healthcare associated pneumonia Discussed consent mode: Advanced consent | USA | Interviews and meetings involving health professionals, research staff and IRB members | 10 IRB representatives; 7 investigators; 5 study coordinators | 4 |
| 25 | Noninferiority treatment trial for healthcare associated pneumonia Discussed consent mode: Advanced consent | USA | Interviews and meetings involving doctors, research staff and IRB members during 2017–2018 | 10 IRB representatives; 7 investigators; 5 study coordinators | 4 |
| 43 | CONservative TReatment of Appendicitis in Children a randomised controlled Trial (ISRCTN15830435) Target patient: Minors Consent giver: Parents | UK | Interviews with doctors during 2017–2018 | 35 health professionals (25 surgeons, 7 research nurses, 3 ward nurses) | 4 |
| 35 | Probiotics for Antibiotic Associated Diarrhoea study (ISRCTN 7954844) Target patient: Older adults in care homes Discussed consent mode: Advanced consent | UK | Interviews with doctors and staff in 2013/2014 | 19 care home staff; 10 general practioners | 4 |
IRB, institutional review board.