It's All About Communication! Teaching Researchers to Talk to Clinical Collaborators

Effective clinician-researcher partnerships rely on clear communication, yet these two groups often struggle to speak a common language. We have developed what we term, "The IdeaLab," an initiative of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and the Center for Smart Use of Technology to Assess Real World Outcomes (C-STAR), that provides a platform for investigators to present early-stage research ideas and receive expert guidance from clinicians. From 2021-2024, we held 20 IdeaLabs with an average of 35 employees per event (35.4±10.2). Participants included 45.6% Researchers/Engineers, 32.6% Allied Health, 11.4% Other staff, 9.0% Physicians, and 1.3% Registered Nurses (n=708). The success of these events hinges on presenters effectively communicating their research ideas to the interdisciplinary audience to produce valuable discussions of usability, feasibility, clinical applicability and potential impact. Drawing from our experience, we identified three key concepts and incorporated them into a template for successful IdeaLab presentations: (1) Start with the idea. Presenters must concisely articulate their idea and their understanding of its significance. (2) Simplify the content. Presenters must provide essential information with minimal technical jargon. Overly detailed methodology distracts from the clinical need and impact. (3) Focus on the nail. Presenters should aim to identify real clinical problems and tailor their solution ("the hammer") accordingly to increase the potential for impact. For some investigators, the IdeaLab may be their first meaningful interaction with clinical counterparts. By equipping researchers with effective interdisciplinary communication skills, we foster a culture of collaboration that empowers both researchers and clinicians to address real-world challenges for rehabilitation populations.