Communications support for patient-centred clinical studies

A clear communications plan is no longer an optional extra when it comes to clinical trials. Understanding who you need to communicate with,


Everyone involved benefits.

  • Sites know what's expected of them.

  • Participants understand what they're being asked to sign up for. And why they should continue being involved.

  • Funders can see how their money is being spent.

  • Healthcare professionals learn about the findings and understand how they can benefit them and their patients.


    A robust communications strategy supports every phase of the trial's lifecycle from design, training, recrutiment and retention to dissemination.

    It also impacts on whether a trial manages to achieve more inclusive participation.

    Researchers understand all this. Funders require it. But there's a mismatch between intent and ability to execute.

    We provide specialist communications support from the grant application phase all the way through to dissemination of findings after research is published.

    Strategy, audience research, content creation.

Phase 1: Grant Application

Funders now require that plans for public engagement are included in grant applications.

“No researcher or institution who applies to the NIHR for funding can expect to be successful without a plan for public involvement”

How we can help

  • Free 30 minute consultation to discuss communications goals, stakeholders, and EDI considerations.

  • Including guidance on costings and timelines.

  • Written outline of the communications support that will be provided, to include in your grant application.

Phase 2: Trial Design

Communications strategies are always most effective when embedded from the start of a project.

In the early phases of a clinical study we consult with the project's leads identify priorities and assess how communications strategy can support its goals.

Stakeholder research

- Assess all stakeholders and the communications requirements for each, including internal, staff at trial sites, sponsors, funders, patients, participants + families.

  • Identify what populations the trial will target for recruitment.

  • Understand their motivations + potential barriers to participation.

Strategy

  • Devise a strategy that will guide communications activities, outputs and assessments from launch to dissemination.