Transforming myeloma trials through community partnerships
How can we make clinical trials truly accessible for everyone? For many British Bangladeshi patients, especially Bengali or Sylheti speakers with limited English, understanding trial information is a challenge. Researchers are aiming to co-design materials that will enhance understanding and willingness to particiapte in trials.
Project information
Team: Prof. Guy Pratt (Consultant Haematologist), Dr Stephen Hibbs (Haematology Registrar and Research Fellow), Prof. Federico M. Federici (Professor of Intercultural Crisis Communication)
Institution: University of Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit
Why this matters
Current clinical trial documentation is highly technical, legally framed and almost always in English. This excludes many from research opportunities and contributes to poorer health outcomes. For Bengali and Sylheti speaking communities, language barriers, low literacy and cultural disconnects make it even hard to access clear, trustworthy information.
In 2023, we partnered with language experts and community groups to address barriers in understanding myeloma for Bengali- and Sylheti-speaking patients. This improved routine care and we're now focusing on improving understanding of clinical trials.
- Prof. Guy Pratt
Project at a glance
Translate Myeloma is tackling this issue head on by co-designing a new model for translating clinical trial materials in partnership with Bengali and Sylheti speaking patients, families and community leaders.
Key activities will include:
- Community workshops to explore barriers, brainstorm solutions and test prototype materials.
- Researchers will employ various methods for delivering workshops or engaging with communities, tailored to individual literacy and cultural preferences. This may include written, audio, and video resources.
- Involvement of bilingual clinicians to ensure clinical accuracy and cultural relevance.
Looking ahead
The initiative will transform access to trials for Bengali and Sylheti speaking patients with myeloma by providing:
- Clearer, more inclusive trial information in multiple formats.
- Increased patient confidence and autonomy in decision making.
- A scalable co-design model adaptable for other languages, diseases and underserved groups.
- Cost-effective, reusable materials that support long-term sustainability.
- Enhanced equity in research aligning with NHS England's call to improve translation services and reduce health disparities.
By centring patient voices, especially from marginalised communities, Translate Myeloma will shape how clinical trials are communicated, making research more representative, accessible and fair. This work lays the foundation for national expansion and integration into the NHS and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) trial delivery networks.
Meet the grant holders
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