**5. Conclusion**

Despite the wide diffusion of communication trainings for physician and medical personnel, only a few studies were retrieved with regard to specific trainings on communication about clinical trials. These studies demonstrated significant impact on outcomes such as participants' satisfaction, self‐confidence, and understanding of the design of clinical trials. However, few training demonstrated any significant improvement in participants' recruiting skills. In light of the urgency of the need to increase clinical trial accrual, improved communication training may be an effective way to support recruitment goals. Researchers should further define the most effective strategies to meet the educational needs of professional recruiters, research coordinators, and study personnel, with the ultimate goal of improving accrual rates and the quality of patients' experience while enrolled in clinical trials and research studies.

#### **5.1. Practice implications**

Training programs for improving communication with patients about participation in clinical trials and research studies should be developed based on the insights from several experts, including social scientists focused on communication. These trainings should be organized in the form of workshops, where participants can receive both didactic education and the oppor‐ tunity to role‐play new communication skills. Role‐playing exercises may prove to be particu‐ larly effective with standardized patients, if such a resource is available. The use of checklists during observations of role‐plays is recommended as an objective test of behavioral outcomes. The long‐term outcomes of the training on patient satisfaction with the enrollment and con‐ senting process as well as study accrual rates should be carefully defined and assessed.
