Satellite: Bridging the Worlds of Science, Policy and Communication

Date, Time and Location

This session will be held on Sunday, July 22, 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., in Mini-Room 2

About This Session

This satellite session will bring together policy makers, managers of clinical trials and researchers for an interactive training on communications in HIV prevention trials. The session will draw on the experience of HIV prevention trials in many countries to show how communication strategies can build public trust in research and help pave the way for eventual uptake of an intervention, while poor communication can result in delays or even closure of trials. It will also provide practical guidance on incorporating communication with key stakeholders at each stage of the research, from planning to dissemination of results.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Recognize the importance of planning for communications in HIV prevention trials from the start;

• Be inspired and informed to use the Communications Handbook for Clinical Trials to plan and implement strategies to address specific communication challenges at every stage of clinical research.

Additional Background

Each participant will receive a copy of the Communication Handbook for Clinical Trials and a DVD containing slide sets, checklists and templates to use in communication planning and implementation. Based on experience with HIV prevention trials in many countries, the handbook offers practical tips and tools to help users anticipate and respond to the special communication challenges posed by the conduct of clinical research.

Lunch will be served.

Partners

Support for this satellite session is provided by the:

• President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

• United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through a cooperative agreement with FHI 360, the Preventive Technologies Agreement (PTA)

Session Outline

  • Welcome and Introduction Quarraisha Abdool Karim (CAPRISA)
  • Ward Cates (FHI 360)
  • Introduction to the Communications Handbook for Clinical Trials and The Role of Communication at Each Stage of a Trial Thomas Lent (FHI 360)
  • Case Study: When Communication Breaks Down
  • Case Study: What Works
  • Using the Handbook to Address Specific Communication Challenges: World Café Methodology
  • Participants will work in teams, using the handbook to address challenges at different stages of a trial. Teams will rotate 4-5 times every 10-15 minutes
  • Thomas Lent (Facilitator)
  • What’s Next? Feedback on the Handbook and the Session