How to communicate research clearly and understandably to your community
In the constantly changing field of clinical research, effective communication is key in bridging the gap between complex scientific concepts and patient understanding.
This guide is designed to equip patient group leaders, staff, and volunteers with the skills necessary to clearly and understandably communicate research to patients.
To help you engage with your community about clinical research, we will cover how to communicate the nature, importance, and framework of clinical trials. We will then offer practical guidance to address common questions, concerns and challenges around trial recruitment, participation and results.
With thanks to:
Lucy-Paige, Analyst at Costello Medical, who generously provided expertise and pro bono support, alongside her colleagues Alice Wilcox, Senior Analyst and Sonia Shaw, Senior Analyst to create this course for patient groups.
Lucy-Paige
Alice Wilcox
Sonia Shaw
Costello Medical provided pro bono support in the creation of this course.
With thanks to the Funders of The Empowerment Programme 2025
Resource type
Course
Skill level
Beginner
Duration
1-2 hours
Last updated
April 2025
Resource type
Course
Skill level
Beginner
Duration
1-2 hours
Last updated
April 2025
What will you learn in this course?
- How to communicate the clinical trial process to patients
- How to communicate the clinical trial recruitment process to patients
- How to communicate clinical trial results to patients
- How to communicate considerations for participating in clinical trials to patients
Who is this course for?
This guide has been developed for patient group leaders, staff or volunteers to:
- Provide information and guidance for patient groups on how to communicate research to patients clearly and understandably
- Understand the challenges faced when communicating research to patients and how to navigate them
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Resource Content
Overview of the clinical research landscape
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What are clinical trials?
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Clinical research FAQs and suggested response approaches
How the following clinical research FAQs and suggested response approaches will work
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What is a clinical trial, how do they work?
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Should I join a clinical trial?
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How can I explain what a clinical trial is to my child?
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Why are there so many clinical trials in my/my child’s disease area? How do I choose from so many?
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How to communicate the clinical trial recruitment process to patients
A participant’s journey through a clinical trial
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What are eligibility criteria?
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Challenges surrounding eligibility criteria
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Clinical trial recruitment FAQs and suggested response approaches
How the following clinical trial recruitment FAQs and suggested response approaches will work
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How do I find clinical trials I/my child might be eligible for?
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What happens if I decide to leave a clinical trial/take my child out of a clinical trial?
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Will I/my child be compensated for participating in a clinical trial?
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Why am I/my child not eligible for this clinical trial?
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Are there any exceptions to the clinical eligibility criteria?
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How to communicate considerations for participating in clinical trials to patients
Who should consider participating in a clinical trial?
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What are the risks when participating in a clinical trial?
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The value of participating in clinical trials, despite potentially receiving a placebo/non-active treatment
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Clinical trial participation FAQs and suggested response approaches
How the following clinical trial participation FAQs and suggested response approaches will work
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