Improving health communication for COPD and weight management

Clear Conversations: Evaluating a Verbal Health Literacy Intervention in Derbyshire

University of Sheffield · NCT06508840

This study is testing if training healthcare workers to communicate better can help people with COPD and those trying to manage their weight understand health information and get the care they need.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Sheffield (other)
Locations2 sites (Matlock, Chesterfield and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06508840 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project focuses on enhancing health literacy by training healthcare workers in effective verbal communication skills. The aim is to help service users, particularly those with lower education levels or from disadvantaged areas, better understand health information and access necessary services. By providing targeted training and support, the study seeks to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities in health literacy. Participants will include health workers and adults with COPD or those enrolled in weight management programs in Derbyshire.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 or over with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or those participating in a weight management program in Derbyshire.

Not a fit: Patients who are not enrolled in the specified health programs or those attending outside the data collection period may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this initiative could lead to improved health outcomes for patients by enabling them to better understand and act on health advice.

How similar studies have performed: While previous studies have focused on written health information, this approach to improving verbal health literacy is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* • Public Health Intervention Advisors delivering the tier 2 weight management programme across Derbyshire.

  * Physiotherapists and specialist nurses involved in the assessment of patients and delivery of the six week DCHS NHS pulmonary rehabilitation programme.
  * Adults aged 18 or over who start the rolling 12 week tier two weight management programme during the intervention period.
  * Adults aged 18 or over, with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, who are being assessed for and undertaking the six week pulmonary rehabilitation programme during the study intervention period.
  * For the staff questionnaire only - Healthcare staff from other services that attend Verbal Health Literacy training, during the study period in 2024, will also be eligible

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Service users attending the two service programmes outside of the data collection period.

  * Other pulmonary rehabilitation staff. i.e. staff who are not physiotherapists or specialist nurses.

Where this trial is running

Matlock, Chesterfield and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: COPD, Weight Loss

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.