Enhancing the clinical research experience
Clinical research offers patients the opportunity to benefit from promising new drugs and medical devices. It also enables access to the highest quality clinical care from leading health care professionals.
Clinical Trials BC optimizes British Columbians’ involvement in clinical trials by removing barriers and enhancing the participant experience. We support researchers and organizations to develop clinical trials that are more accessible and participant centered.
Explore our various initiatives designed to improve clinical research experience.
Survey of Awareness and Perceptions of Canadians on the Benefits and Risks of Clinical Trials
In 2015, Clinical Trials BC partnered with Clinical Trials Ontario to survey Ontario and British Columbia residents about their awareness of the benefits and risks of clinical trials, along with their willingness to participate. The results provided valuable insights around public perceptions and helped identify strategies to encourage more participation.
Coming soon: Clinical Trials BC and Clinical Trials Ontario repeated this survey in 2023 and results are expected late 2024.
Canadian Clinical Research Participation Survey
The Canadian Clinical Research Participation Survey was a national initiative conducted by Clinical Trials BC completing in 2018. With 1,000 responses in both French and English, the objective was to learn from the public about their clinical trial experiences, especially people those who declined to participate. Any Canadian who was ever invited to join or enroll their child in a clinical trial was eligible.
The survey showed that many clinical trial participants were left with unanswered questions both during and after the research study. As one participant explained: “I would have liked to have the study follow up to me directly about my results and the results of the overall study.” Another stated: “My experience was incredibly disappointing; I never received the study results.”
Such findings are problematic for three main reasons:
- Participants feeling dissatisfied with their experiences in research can result in attrition and less willingness to participate in future research
- The Canadian Tri-Council Policy Statement clearly states that informing participants of the research results is as important as disseminating results to the research community
- The Canadian Institutes of Health Research acknowledges that the impact of research on the health care system is directly related to effectively communicating research findings back to knowledge users, including members of the public who may be affected by those findings
View a webinar presenting the survey findings.
Provincial working group
Following the national survey, Clinical Trials BC formed a 17-member provincial working group to support action items that improve recruitment and retention in clinical trials in BC.
Comprised of clinical researchers, health system decision makers, patient partners and representatives from health authorities, the group’s primary objective was to identify methods of increasing communication of study results to participants in BC, ultimately creating a more positive culture around clinical research.
Learn how you can get involved to advance clinical trials in BC.
Best practices toolkit for communicating results with clinical trial participants
Building on insights from the surveys and results of the working group, we’ve developed an online toolkit focusing on communication practices that help participants feel more informed and valued.
The toolkit consists of:
- Best practice recommendations: clear guidelines with examples on how to enhance communication with participants
- Templates: ready-to-use templates with helpful instructions
- Promotional materials: resources to promote effective communication practices within your organization
By following the recommendations and utilizing the resources, research teams can improve the overall experience of participants which also lead to higher retention and willingness to participate in research.
It Starts With Me
This collaborative project between Network of Networks (N2) and Clinical Trials BC supports participant recruitment by enhancing public understanding about and engagement with clinical trials.
Its educational resources inform potential participants about clinical trials, considerations before signing up, and the benefits of taking part in clinical trials to the health of our communities.
Recruit study participants through REACH BC
REACH BC is a Health Research BC’s provincial platform that simplifies the recruitment process for clinical trials across the province.
Our online platform helps connect research studies with eligible participants and patient partners from all health authorities and rural areas. Once a volunteer expresses interest in a research project, you will be able to contact them and provide additional information before proceeding.
Not recruiting? You can also share your study results and knowledge translation products on our public searchable directory.