Recently, I received an email in my inbox with the subject: “New X-funded research opportunity-looking for caregivers for patients with disease X.” Because I am in the field of health research, I opened the email. Otherwise, I am extremely unlikely to have it.
The email then provided a piece of information about the research organization and its mission. It then provides a list of qualification declarations-all of which are stated as “must”:
- Participant must Yes
- Participant must have
Then provide “read more about the research” and a link, even if I, as a person concerned with health research, was not forced to click. I want to know what will prompt the “caregiver of patient with X disease” to read further? Unfortunately, the language used in this email is often the type of language used by health researchers when trying to attract potential participants for research. This is the language of the researcher, not the language of the participants.
Not participating means not understanding
The results of using this method—whether you try to communicate via email, social media, or other digital channels—cannot engage people in your medical research work. This is especially true for marginalized groups that are too underrepresented in medical research. The result is that we cannot understand their health needs and how to provide them with the best care.
For example, Recent reports of patients participating in HIT There is a lack of appropriate data on the medical school to address LGBTQ health disparities. AARP further stated It is found that LGBTQ adults facing chronic diseases and other health challenges are even further underrepresented and misunderstood. The pandemic has further exposed the wider inequality of communication among marginalized people-“Compared with young, white, or insured patients, elderly, non-white, or uninsured patients are 40% to 40% less likely to use video interviews. 60%” According to the New England Journal of Medicine.
Failure to fully understand the communication needs and preferences of the target population is obviously likely to affect the effectiveness and reliability of research work and fair access to care. Taking steps to participate more effectively can lead to more targeted methods to prevent and treat various diseases.
Understand the participant’s point of view
The task of clinical researchers is to understand the underrepresented populations in our research for too long—those who have been or feel excluded and neglected, or who have suffered unequal treatment in the hands of researchers in the past.
To effectively interact with research participants, we need to innovate and invest in understanding them thoroughly, not as members of certain target populations, but as individuals. This requires humility. We need to approach our community of potential research participants without preconceived notions or assumptions. We need to be culturally competent and sensitive, to recognize and acknowledge what we don’t know.
The biggest challenge for clinical researchers trying to interact with study participants is that they know too much. They are too familiar with the terminology and jargon related to their field of research—too familiar to them that they can’t get rid of their heads, and in the process, no matter how inadvertently, they close or fail to attract potential research Participant.
When we communicate with non-clinical doctors, we need to communicate in a way that is easy to understand and appealing, not clinical and antiseptic. We need to take off our white coats and connect with potential research participants in a way that is meaningful to them—in the language they use and understand. Of course, this requires us to take steps to understand our audience and their perspectives.
The same but not the same
Even in the audience segmentation market, there are obvious differences between participants. These differences are often not recognized. For example, let’s assume that all members of the LGBTQ+ group with type 1 diabetes have the same concerns. Or, all members of a group of parents of a child with Down syndrome will have the same concerns. They are not—and neither are they.
Consider that among the LGBTQ+ groups you might target, there will be black members, LatinX members, Muslims, Catholics, and atheists. There will be other important differences. This level of diversity needs to be understood and considered, and reflected in your communication.
We need to establish contact with people in a specific group through information to convey our understanding that they are the same but different. In order to form these connections, what do we need to communicate clearly to them? Why should they cooperate with us?
What good is it for them?
Researchers need research participants. But what are the benefits for the participants? Why choose members of a specific audience to participate in your research? What good is it for them? It is common for researchers to clearly communicate the goals of their research. They are unlikely to clearly communicate what the research results mean to participants—how will their lives be positively affected, what will they learn, and how will their participation affect others like them?
In addition, almost all participants want to know how their information will be used, who can access it, and how their personal information and identity will be protected.
They want to know the results of research or research-not in a few years, but along the way. If they are participants, they need to be included. They hope so. Because many people often don’t—and share their experiences with others—reluctance is understandable.
From the beginning to the end of the study, different groups of people should also participate in and participate in the exchange of relevant research. Consider who was involved in approving the communication used in your last research work. Is any of these people a representative of your target audience? If not, how can you believe that your information will resonate with them?
Overcoming communication barriers
Nowadays, social media is widely used as a communication tool because too many people participate in social media channels. However, not everyone is involved, and not everyone is involved in the same channels. For example, Pew Research Data It shows that adults under 30 are the most likely to use Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, although YouTube and Facebook are generally the most widely used channels. There are some other important differences:
- Hispanic Americans are more likely to use WhatsApp than black or white Americans (46% respectively, compared to 23% and 16% respectively).
- Nextdoor is a relatively new entrant in the social media field, which is a community-based channel. People in cities or suburbs (17% and 14%) are more likely to use Nextdoor, while only 2% of people in rural areas use locations .
If you want to connect with members of the LGBTQ+ community through many popular social media channels, you may face further challenges. According to a report, GLAAD’s first Social Media Safety Index (SMSI) has failed scores on all top social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. NBC News ReportOn the contrary, researchers who are interested in establishing contacts with LGBTQ+ community members, especially young members, may be better able to interact with them on emerging websites, such as KeYou.
In addition to use considerations based on interests and opportunities to connect with like-minded groups, use is also affected by technical barriers. People in rural areas may not have connection problems. People in socially disadvantaged or low-income environments may not be able to use computer or smartphone technology.
For many health researchers, you don’t know what you don’t know when interacting with specific audiences. It is important to take steps to learn. Don’t assume that you know your target audience. Do not interact with them in your language. Contact them. learn from them. Involve them in your communication outreach activities to ensure that your language and the communication channels you use to contact are appropriate and targeted.
Photo: elenabs, Getty Images
