INClUDE

NIHR-INCLUDE resources:

The NIHR-INCLUDE Guidance 

The main output from the project was guidance on 'Improving inclusion of under-served groups in clinical research', which provides:

• a strategic overview of potential points for intervention to improve inclusion of under-served groups across the life course of research; 

• key objectives to improve inclusivity; 

• guiding principles for stakeholders to apply the guidance. 

The guidance is provided on the NIHR website: Improving inclusion of under-served groups in clinical research: Guidance from INCLUDE project 

A PDF of the guidance is also available to download: NIHR-INCLUDE Guidance, July 2020 PDF

To cite this report: National Institute for Health Research (2020) Improving inclusion of under-served groups in clinical research: Guidance from the NIHR-INCLUDE project. UK: National Institute for Health Research. 

Available at: www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/improving-inclusion-of-under-served-groups-in-clinical-research-guidance-from-include-project/25435 (date link accessed)

NIHR-INCLUDE Free Online Course

The INCLUDE team have worked with colleagues in NIHR Workforce, Learning and Organisational Development, to develop an online course that explores:

• why it is important to include under-served groups in research;

• what an under-served group is;

• examples of under-served groups; examples of barriers to inclusion; 

• see INCLUDE in practice, in relation to COVID-19 and Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE).

By completing this course, you will better understand how to improve inclusion using a roadmap of suggested intervention points, and will explore how funders, researchers and delivery teams can improve inclusivity of study design and delivery by following a framework and guidance questions. An NIHR certificate will be awarded upon completion.

How to access the course

The INCLUDE Project's online course can be accessed, for free, via the NIHR Learn or Open Learn platforms.

Access to NIHR Learn is available to NHS, UK universities, and other publicly funded organisations conducting and supporting clinical research. Simply register on the NIHR Learn platform using your eligible NIHR, NHS or UK university email address (further information on NIHR Learn here).

If you do not have an eligible email domain, you can access the course using the Open Learn platform. Visit openlearn.nihr.ac.uk to sign up using your personal email address.

additional resources:

NIHR Research Inclusion Programme & Toolkits Hub

The NIHR-INCLUDE project has been absorbed as a knowledge resource into the NIHR Research Inclusion Programme. Further information on this, including the Research Inclusion Strategy, can be found on the NIHR Equality, Diversity & Inclusion webpage.

Practical toolkits can be accessed via NIHR Learn by searching for the NIHR Research Inclusion Toolkits Hub. 

The INCLUDE Frameworks

Linked to the NIHR-INCLUDE project, Trial Forge is working with other networks (particularly the Trial Methodology Research Partnership and Ireland's Trial Methodology Research Network), organisations and researchers to improve diversity in trials. A series of frameworks have been developed to help trial teams think about how their trial might make it easier, or more difficult, for some people to take part in a trial. These frameworks aim to help trial teams think carefully about which groups should be included in their trial for its results to be widely applicable, and what challenges there may be to making this possible. 

The links below will take you to the Trial Forge website and the specific framework's webpage where you can find more detail, resources and examples:

• The INCLUDE Ethnicity Framework

• The INCLUDE Impaired Capacity to Consent Framework

• The INCLUDE Socioeconomic Disadvantage Framework

NHS ENGLAND - Increasing diversity in research participation: a good practice guide for engaging with under-represented groups

NHS England has created a document that provides practical insights for researchers on how to engage more diverse participants in health research.

• The Increasing Diversity in Research Participation: a good practice guide for engaging with underrepresented groups PDF is available to download.

This publication may have some elements that are not fully accessible to everyone. If you need this information in an alternative format please contact england.research@nhs.net.

Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/aac/publication/increasing-diversity-in-research-participation/