Patient & Public Engagement
N2 is committed to strengthening public and patient engagement in clinical research across Canada. We recognize that meaningful involvement leads to more inclusive, ethical, and effective studies. This page brings together toolkits, templates, and strategies to help sites, investigators, and research teams build trust, foster relationships, and encourage participation in clinical trials.
N2 Tools to Support Recruitment Activities
Available in both English and French | Open Source Website; other materials require Terms of Use
It Starts With Me
It Starts With Me offers clear, plain-language resources to help people understand clinical trials—what they are, why they matter, and what to expect. All materials were shaped with real patient input to ensure they reflect lived experience and support informed decision-making. The campaign aligns with the national website ItStartsWithMe.ca / ÇaCommenceAvecMoi.ca.
What’s Included?
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Recruitment Brochure: A one-page overview of clinical trial basics, available in English and French, with co-branding options.
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Videos: Short bilingual clips (with or without captions) highlighting research participation from a patient’s perspective—ideal for waiting rooms, social media, and outreach.
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Slide Decks: Ready-to-use presentations that explain clinical trials in simple, accessible language for workshops, webinars, and education sessions.
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Postcards: Printable conversation-starters for patients and providers, customizable with your organization’s logo.
The Participators
The Participators was created with direct input from children who have taken part in clinical research. The characters are inspired by real kids with lived experience, helping ensure the stories feel genuine and relatable. The concept, storyboard, and script were developed by Nate Hudson with support from Antonia Palmer, Linda Warner, and Rich Murray. Additional insights came from the Maternal Infant Child and Youth Research Network (MICYRN) and KidsCan Youth Advisory.
What’s Included?
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Short Animated Video: Real kids voice the characters, sharing what it’s like to take part in clinical research from their perspective.
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Printable Activity Book: Designed with kids in mind, featuring games, illustrations, and simple explanations to help them understand clinical trials.
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Ideal For: Pediatric clinics, research programs, youth engagement events, and science fairs. These tools help spark curiosity, ease fears, and support meaningful conversations between children, families, and health-care teams.
Ask Me Campaign Toolkit
These tools support researchers and institutions conducting cannabis-related
The Ask Me Campaign Toolkit offers easy, ready-to-use materials to help research sites engage their communities and start conversations about clinical trials. Adapted from the JCTN Ask Me Campaign, it’s a simple way for organizations to begin public engagement or strengthen the outreach they already do.
The toolkit includes a quick roll-out package, along with aligned national materials like ItStartsWithMe.ca / ÇaCommenceAvecMoi.ca and the Permission to Contact (PTC) program. It’s designed to support approachable, confident conversations about research and to help teams involve patients and the public in meaningful ways.
What’s Included?
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Ask Me About Clinical Trials: customizable badge/sticker
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One-page fact Sheet: Available in French and English.
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Poster, brochures and resource cards: Co-brandable
These materials make it easy to raise awareness, spark conversations, and build stronger connections with the public.
Permission to Contact (PTC) Toolkit
The Permission to Contact (PTC) platform is a simple, patient-centred enrollment strategy that helps research teams connect with people who may be interested in future studies. By adding one routine question — “Would you like to be contacted about future research opportunities?” — the platform helps reduce one of the biggest barriers to participation.
What’s Included?
The PTC Toolkit provides clear, practical guidance for implementing the platform in your organization, including:
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Budgeting and data-planning support
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Stakeholder engagement guidance
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Readiness and implementation steps
Developed with OBER, Island Health, and CTRNet, the toolkit supports consistent adoption of core PTC practices across Canada.
Bridging the Gaps – Advancing New Immigrant Participation in Clinical Trials
Creating Inclusive Trials
Inclusive research means more than diverse recruitment — it requires thoughtful, equitable engagement. These resources help research teams connect with underrepresented populations, reduce barriers to participation, and build relationships grounded in respect and shared understanding.
Why It Matters
Clinical trials shape the future of health care, but to truly understand how new treatments work across communities, trials must include diverse participants.
This white paper highlights the importance of engaging new immigrant communities, explains why representation matters, and outlines practical steps researchers and institutions can take to support participation.
By involving individuals from varied racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds, we can strengthen trust and improve outcomes for all.
DIY Community Engagement Event Toolkit
Available in English | Member Access Only
The N2 Public Engagement Committee created this user-friendly toolkit to help research teams, health-care organizations, and community leaders plan and host inclusive engagement events focused on clinical trials.
What’s Included?
This Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Toolkit walks you through planning meaningful engagement tailored to your community. It includes ready-to-use templates for invitations, agendas, evaluations, and more.
You’ll also find real-world examples, practical tips, and strategies to support inclusive conversations about clinical trials—especially with diverse or underrepresented groups. The toolkit helps teams build trust, foster transparency, and encourage open dialogue about research.
Designed to be accessible for any site, budget, or experience level, it’s a great starting point for anyone wanting to embed equity and community in their research practices.
Log in to the N2 Member Portal to access the full toolkit and materials.
