Good participatory practice during epidemics

WHO has published a series of documents to facilitate good participatory practice in clinical trials in the context of epidemics. Considerations for engagement in clinical trials during emergencies include the accelerated timelines of trial activity, the need for rapid engagement to assess acceptability and social value, and pre-existing research infrastructure and systems.

The WHO publications, one on good participatory practice for trials of (re-)emerging pathogens (2016) and the other on good participatory practice for COVID-19 clinical trials (2020), both provide guidance on how to engage with communities before, during and after clinical trials in the context of epidemics. 

Good participatory practice is understood as a principle-based approach to effectively engage stakeholders in the design and conduct of prevention and treatment trials. It operates under the guiding principles of respect, fairness, integrity, transparency, accountability, and autonomy, as highlighted in the Good Participatory Practice with trial populations for the Solidarity Trial Vaccines (STV) guidance document. Principles of engagement and tools included in this document can be adapted to efforts to engage communities in clinical trials with pregnant and lactating populations. 

Additional guidance for engagement focal points and research teams exists in the context of vaccine trials during epidemics. WHO has also published guidance for establishing and working with community advisory boards, as one of the most widely documented structures supporting community engagement in clinical trials.