Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in clinical trials is vital. Some groups of people, such as women, people of colour, LGBTQIA+ people, and older adults are often underserved in clinical trials, meaning the trials aren’t designed with them in mind. As a result, we have less understanding of how findings from these clinical trials, such as a new treatment for a disease, may affect certain groups of people. This is the case for many diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Implementing EDI means that no-one is unfairly left out of a trial because of their identity, and so everyone can benefit from the results.
This workshop is titled “Embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials: Spotlight on Multiple Sclerosis Research”. It will take place in the University of Galway, and will be facilitated by members of the COB-MS team: Dr Sinéad Hynes, Joan Jordan, Ewelina Lach, Eva O’Byrne, Emma Rogan and Dr Shima Shapoori.
This full-day workshop is free and open to all, but would be of particular interest to researchers working on clinical trials or MS research, people with MS or other neurological diseases, health sciences students, and people interested in EDI, MS or clinical trials.
During the workshop, attendees will have the chance to hear from and speak with EDI/clinical trial researchers in the morning, and members of the COB-MS PPI (Patient and Public Involvement) Advisory Board in the afternoon. Topics that will be covered include the importance of EDI in clinical trials and challenges faced in implementing EDI considerations. Attendees will be invited to join collaborative discussions on good practice ways to implement EDI in trials.
After the workshop, a summary will be posted on the COB-MS website, and some photos and videos (taken with consent) will be shared.