Newcastle University

It is important for us to know how you are getting on during the study. During your study participation we will be using the STAR system to collect information around your sore throat days and how you have been getting on with your tonsillitis.

How does the system work?

If you decide to participate in the study, you will be able to choose whether you want to be contacted by text, email or phone on a weekly basis. Each week you will be asked the simple question of “How many sore throat days did you have last week?” and you reply (quick and easy) by typing in a single number from 0-7. If you have had any sore throat days that week, you will be asked a further question of "On a scale of 1 to 3, how bad was your sore throat over the last week?".

This allows us to track your sore throat history over the trial period which is very important for the understanding of tonsillitis.

If you have had any sore throat days that week we would also like you to complete a STAR questionnaire to understand better how you felt and what sort of treatment you were getting for your sore throat days. This should take only a couple of minutes. We will send you a link to the online STAR questionnaire to complete when you respond by text or email to let us you have had a sore throat that week.

Alternatively, if you prefer to complete the STAR questionnaire on paper, we will provide you with paper questionnaires that you can post back using the FREEPOST envelopes. If you run out of any please contact your local research team or the Newcastle Clinical Trial Unit.

A copy of the most recent STAR questionnaire can be found below. If you are completing paper STARs you can print this form and return it in one of the pre-paid and addressed envelopes provided.

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