{"id":330,"date":"2020-07-22T22:44:56","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T22:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.socra.org\/blog\/?p=330"},"modified":"2023-03-12T21:00:43","modified_gmt":"2023-03-12T21:00:43","slug":"improving-communication-in-clinical-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.socra.org\/blog\/improving-communication-in-clinical-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving Communication in Clinical Research"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Improving<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
By: Anatoly Gorkun, MD, PhD, Chartered MCIPD
            Senior Manager, Global Clinical Development, PPD UK <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Abstract: Effective communication skills in clinical research are vitally important. Due to many conflicting priorities however, clinical research professionals may not have time to manage soft skills. This increases the danger that something may go wrong. This article highlights real-life clinical research examples where communication problems affected deliverables or compliance. The principles of effective communication styles are discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Communication is a key tool for clinical researchers, yet problems due to inactive communication are common. It is important to monitor possible ineffective communication in order to develop effective solutions to proactively prevent the negative consequences of ineffective communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some time ago, the author received feedback from two clinical trial managers (CTM) on the same clinical research associate (CRA) at the same time. One clinical trial manager said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(CTM’s Name) \u201cis perfectly performing as expected from an experienced CRA. Her time has been allocated to manage a few difficult sites. Due to her learning agility and deep experience, the situation is improving now. She is a very good team player.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other clinical\ntrial manager told the author:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\nknow this CRA is new to the company and is still learning; however, with the\nupcoming data cleaning, I need your help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\nwould suggest she has a co-monitoring visit with someone who is experienced.\nShe needs to understand that this reconciliation is not just making a match between\nsource data vs. case report form but also questioning what is being reported\nand identifying gaps, and being able to address issues with the site staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would appreciate your feedback and actions.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both\nstudies were relatively similar, and in this specific example, the problem\nappeared to be the communication between the CRA and CTM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Importance of Communication in Clinical Research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are various definitions of communication, including: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.\u201d (oxforddictionaries.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in which participants not only exchange (encode-decode) information, news, ideas, and feelings but also create and share meaning.\u201d (businessdictionary.com).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nsecond definition is broader and reflects the nature of communication more accurately.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Poor\ncommunication in clinical research has many negative effects (Table 1)\nincluding stress, possible conflicts between clinical research professionals,\nand a breakdown in relationships. Other negative effects of poor communication\nare unmet expectations (ineffectiveness), wasted time because work is inefficient\nand must be re-done, non-compliance, possible harm to subjects, and possible\ninvalidation of data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an example: an in-house CRA approached the line manager and said, \u201cI\u2019ve done what the project team wanted, but when I finished the task they said it was not what they expected.\u201d The line manager asked if the CRA had checked with the project team before starting the task to clarify what they wanted. She said, \u201cNo, because the task seemed very clear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication\nthat is free of assumptions is one of the characteristics of ideal\ncommunication (Table 2). It is important to listen, ask questions to ensure understanding\nof the task, agree to what needs to be done, and confirm the agreement.\nCommunication is a two-way process that requires mutual understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Successful Communication Methods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The\nmost suitable method of communication depends upon the situation and to some\nextent, the receiver\u2019s preferences. For urgent situations, a telephone call is\nbest, followed by an email to summarize the call. The communicator should not\nbombard the person with emails, because he\/she does not know whether the person\nis receiving and reading the emails. In some situations, more than one\ncommunication method is appropriate, such as emailing instructions and then\nfollowing up with a telephone call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes\nit happens that the site monitor and the in-house CRA as well as the project\nassistant may ask the research nurse at the site the same question. This may\nnot be the most efficient approach. Communication should be streamlined in\norder to prevent it from being chaotic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The\nfollowing email communication is between a clinical trial manager (CTM) and a\nCRA on an urgent issue that required immediate attention. A delay in resolving\nthe issue might affect deliverables and the company\u2019s image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n