BOSTON, July 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) announces the launch of a new video series to educate the public and patients about the clinical research process and how it has been impacted by COVID-19. Global surveys conducted between April and June 2020 show that public awareness of clinical trial activity during the pandemic has increased sharply due to increased media attention. At the same time, public knowledge about the clinical research process is limited and public willingness to participate in clinical trials has declined dramatically due to concerns about exposure to the coronavirus. A global study conducted among 500 people this past April, for example, found that only 48% were willing to participate in clinical trials. This compares to 85% who were willing to participate pre-pandemic.

The new educational video series is designed to raise general knowledge about clinical research and to address concerns and questions about participating in clinical trials during the pandemic. The series has been developed in collaboration with patients and professionals. Several major pharmaceutical companies — Takeda, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Merck — also provided educational grants to support development and dissemination of the new programming.

"The pandemic has presented a unique opportunity to provide public education because people around the world are hearing about vaccines and treatments in clinical trials," said Ellyn Getz, Associate Director, Development and Community Engagement. "We invite and encourage patient advocacy groups, research and health professionals to help disseminate this educational campaign and reach a diverse global audience to raise overall clinical research literacy."

Each video in the series combines animation and live conversational discussion — in English and eventually in Spanish —with subject matter experts, patients and the public. The first video is already available, provides a general overview of clinical trials and discusses how new treatments and vaccines are developed. A second will explore key principles of all clinical trials and how they are adapting during the pandemic. A third video will examine COVID-19 clinical trials specifically. All of the videos in the series will be made widely available and free-of-charge through mass and social media, advocacy organizations, research centers, and clinical research-related websites. For more information, go to FindingTreatmentsTogether.org.

About CISCRP
The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and engaging the public, patients, research and health care professionals as partners in the clinical research process. http://www.ciscrp.org

SOURCE CISCRP (Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation)