Engagement
Research and family liaisons (RFLs) engage with families to assess communication, ensuring the family has the information they need to make a decision. Engagement involves working with families and research teams in specific hospital departments or who are involved with specific studies.
RFLs assist families with formulating questions for the research team and also conduct focus groups and interviews to gain insight into the family experience throughout the informed consent process and research participation.
RFLs also assist research teams in verifying translations of consent forms, provide research training for interpreters, and provide education regarding the presentation of study material to families with limited English proficiency.
Other activities include:
- Assessing the potential research participant’s understanding of the presented study information.
- Serving as a liaison in the event of problems or misunderstandings that arise between the participant and the investigator or member of the research team.
- Referring participants and research staff to research ethics consultants when appropriate.