Communication Strategies for Conflict Resolution in Clinical Research Teams

I am excited to have the opportunity to present at the upcoming Association of Clinical Research Professionals Global Conference this April in sunny Orlando. I will be presenting on communication strategies for conflict resolution in clinical research teams. (I know, how ironic, presenting on conflict so close to the happiest place on earth).

Conflict, in and of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing. Conflict can be an opportunity for growth within research teams, as it may generate new perspectives and new ideas for solving the problems facing the group. The danger in conflict is when it is handled poorly, or just ignored. Improving communication skills better equips individuals within a team to be able to effectively work together when conflicts arise.

If you can't make it to Orlando, I'll be doing a practice run of my presentation at the Southern Wisconsin ACRP chapter meeting on February 26 at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

A busy summer and a new career adventure

Don’t let this long stretch of quiet from me fool you. I’ve been hard at work in the realm of health communication. I gave a couple webinars earlier this summer. The first was for the Principal Investigators Association on strategies for building an effective communication environment. The second was for the Association of Clinical Research Professionals on using communication theory to improve informed consent. The two webinars were a great opportunity for me to teach other clinical research professionals about the importance of communication and how it impacts wide-reaching aspects of our work lives.

Up next, I am preparing to collaborate with a new group on a project to improve how scientists and physicians communicate with lay audiences about risk. I am excited for this new opportunity to share the importance of high quality communication to promote understanding of both science and health care. I hope to make a significant contribution to this important area and maybe even learn something along the way.

The Communication Environment

I am planning a new, upcoming webinar on setting a positive tone for team communication by creating a supportive communication environment. A supportive communication environment is one in which all members feel free to raise ideas, believe their ideas and contributions are valued by the rest of the team, and understand that sometimes a team needs to change course in order to achieve their shared goals. On the other hand, a defensive communication environment is one in which members pursue hidden agendas, discount other team members' contributions and are so certain that their way is the right way that they are no longer to objectively assess realities facing the team. Ultimately, supportive communication environments are productive and able to achieve the team's goals, while defensive communication environments are destructive.

What do you want to know about setting a supportive communication environment in your research teams? What do you think I should discuss in this presentation?

Association of Clinical Research Professionals Global Conference

I am excited to be presenting next week at the Association of Clinical Research Professionals Global Conference in Houston, Texas. I am presenting on communication strategies for working with collaborators at multiple institutions. In addition to presenting, I am looking forward to attending sessions on research ethics and clinical research project management. And as always, I am looking forward to connecting with my fellow clinical research professionals.

If you are in Houston for the conference, stop by room 332 on Sunday and say hi. Maybe even stay and learn something about communication.

Testing health web sites

InformationWeek has an interesting slide show this week examining health information web sites. The accompanying article has some good questions that consumers should ask when seeking health information online. Among the questions consumers should ask: Who sponsored the research study or health information presented?

A great health communication resource from the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control has a number of great health communication resources designed to help professional communicators of all types share important health messages with the public. Among the resources in the Health Communication Science Digest, a monthly summary of emerging health communication research and innovation from across the country and across disciplines. There is a lot of great new research emerging in the field of health communication and all of us doing that research have the same ultimate goal, to better spread health messages to individuals and to the public. The CDC Health Communication Science Digest is definitely a site I will be keeping an eye on to keep tabs on the latest research to help us all reach that worthy goal.

Is it time to reconsider direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising?

Forbes Magazine featured an article last week from a former pharmaceutical executive who asks if it is time to reconsider direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising. The author claims that the purpose of the advertising was patient education, but the educational benefits may not be playing out, especially if consumers find the advertisements offensive or annoying. Also the long lists of potential side effects may make the messages meaningless to potential consumers. The advertisements have also carried risks and benefits for the drug companies, but it may be time to consider another approach.