Implementation Tools

GPP provides a uniform framework for the complex and unique process of engaging diverse stakeholders in the research process. Since AVAC and UNAIDS released the second edition of GPP in 2011, we’ve been delighted see uptake by trial sites, global research organizations and networks, national ethics committees and ministries. This new set of tools has been designed to ensure that GPP is having as meaningful an impact as possible on research and for stakeholders.

GPP Blueprint
The Blueprint is designed for use by research site staff to map a stakeholder engagement workplan for the site. The document takes users through an assessment of the site’s research goals and previous outreach work, and aspects that could affect research including community perceptions and wider socio-cultural and political factors. It is designed to help research teams identify what they want to achieve through their engagement work and how it will get done.

GPP Summary Sheets
The summary sheets offer an at-a-glance look at the GPP guidelines for individuals who may not be primarily responsible for implementing GPP, but who need to understand them. They are organized according to the stages of the trial life cycle: planning, trial conduct and post-trial. Each stage outlines GPP topic areas, highlights key practices, and lists considerations for various stakeholders.

Additional Tools:

• GPP Trial Site Binder - The GPP Trial Site Binder is a companion tool to the Good Participatory Practice guidelines that research teams can use to help develop, organize and document the stakeholder engagement activity at the site. The binder is is divided into sixteen sections aligned with the guidelines. Each section contains key steps to help research staff follow the practices, templates for documenting and planning activities, and a place to file draft documents.

• Stakeholder Interview Questions - These questions are designed to help research teams evaluate the impact the stakeholder engagement efforts have had in the community.

• GPP Strengths and Gaps - Using group discussion, this tool facilitates discussion of the site team’s strengths and weaknesses implementing GPP guidelines throughout a trial. The tool provides an anonymous setting for honest feedback and constructive suggestions for improvement in the future.

• Community Mapping Tool - Teaming volunteer community members and research staff, this tool helps map out points of interest where key populations live, work, and access services. It can serve as a vehicle for community participation in the research process.

• GPP Circle Diagram - Using this tool, participants can raise and explore issues they perceive as priorities in HIV prevention research; discovering links between them. An interactive and fun way for community members and participants to be involved with the planning of HIV prevention research at the site.

• GPP Listing, Scoring, Ranking - This tool, developed by the site staff of the Microbicide Development Program in Tanzania, can be used to help community, trial participants, or staff members, prioritize issues and concerns central to the trial. This tool can serve as a platform to generate a list of potential issues and provide direction for what or which issues should take priority at the research site.

• Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit for HIV Prevention Trials - Developed by FHI 360, this is a guide to engaging a wide range of key stakeholders throghout a trial lifecycle. The toolkit is based on best practices and experience of clinical trial experts and commnunity-based advocates.

Development of these tools
These tools were developed, piloted and modified with input from research site staff and other partners over a six-month period. Several of them were developed initially by research groups and adapted with their permission to be a part of this set. AVAC hopes the tools are applicable and useful in as many research settings as possible, but we recognize that engagement work is never uniform. We encourage research teams, advocates and other users to pick, choose, and change components of the tools to be most relevant to their unique GPP efforts. The tools have been presented in an adaptable format specifically for that reason.

We invite questions and feedback at gpp@avac.org.