Setting the tone for conversations to come
Study sites can sometimes feel like busy, hectic, impersonal environments. And this can often feel amplified when patients are transitioning from the relative familiarity of their regular care. Ensuring patients feel seen and heard as early as possible can bring benefits that last throughout participation.
What site teams can do:
It may feel like common sense, but there are many small, practical changes that can bring trust and comfort for prospective participants (in line with their personal preferences):
Greeting them by name
Introducing the rest of your team as real people who care about their condition
Removing distractions, like turning off your phone, to be present in the moment
Maintaining eye contact
Keeping your body language open and relaxed
Being mindful when using interpreters, as they can't always translate physical cues
What sponsors can do:
Provide site teams with appropriate soft skills training to achieve this in practice (see section 2.3 for more information), and the time and resources to remain present in these crucial moments.
