Evaluating toolkits for inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility in clinical trials: a scoping review protocol.

Authors

Syamala Buragadda, Eva Friedman, Marie-Annick Clavel, Stuart G Nicholls, Alison Farrell, Léa-Mai Simard, Mélysiane Marcotte, Manasvi Ganti, Louise Pilote

Published in

Frontiers in public health. Volume 14. Pages 1824000. Epub Jun 22, 2026.

Abstract

Many toolkits have been developed globally to help researchers design and conduct inclusive clinical trials, but their usability for Canada's diverse population remains unclear. This scoping review aims to evaluate existing toolkits and assess their appropriateness in supporting inclusive clinical trials in Canada.
We will conduct a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature from April to August 2025 across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science. Search terms will combine inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility with terms for toolkits and clinical trials. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and full-text reviews will be conducted for eligible studies. Data will be extracted using a standardized form, focusing on toolkit content. We will summarize findings in a matrix and will present the extracted data in a tabular format, allowing easy comparison across toolkits.
This scoping review aims to assess the relevance and usability of existing toolkits that support inclusive clinical trials, with a specific focus on their applicability to the clinical trials context. Given Canada's diverse population, vast geography, and low participation rates among underrepresented groups, it is essential to determine whether current global resources meet local needs. The findings will help identify content gaps and inform the development of a tailored IDEA toolkit to support equitable and representative clinical research across Canada.
The protocol was registered on the Open Science framework. The findings will be presented at relevant conferences, and the manuscript will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals.
https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UDQBJ.

PMID:
42441020
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 14 Jul 2026.

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