2014 — First published in 2010, this handbook is now available online. With nine easy-to-navigate chapters plus videos, slide presentations and other resources not included in the original version, the online edition provides practical guidance to clinical trial staff and research partners on how to anticipate and respond to the special communications challenges posed by the conduct of clinical research.
The handbook contains more than 40 contributions from researchers and communications experts who share ideas, lessons learned and advice based on their experiences with clinical trials in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Using context-specific case studies and insights from these experiences, the handbook covers the spectrum of communications activities that are necessary throughout a clinical trial.
The main chapters of the handbook are organized chronologically, following the progression of a study from planning and budgeting for communications to working with the media to disseminate study results. Other topics include developing a strategic communications plan, preventing and managing a communications crisis, and developing key messages about the trial results.
The handbook offers tools, templates and materials that research sites can adapt for use in their communications planning and implementation, including:
- Communications and crisis-planning templates and checklists
- Scenario-planning tools to facilitate planning for the release of trial results
- Ideas on delegating communications tasks to reduce demands on key site personnel
- Tips and techniques on how to communicate effectively with the media
The original version of the Communications Handbook for Clinical Trials can be downloaded in its entirety or chapter-by-chapter: