Building a Framework for Equity Enrollment in Oncology Trials

Overcoming Barriers Stage 1: Awareness of Clinical Trials 21-25 Figure 5. Involvement of minority physicians in both specific clinical trials and in referring patients to centers with clinical research25 may increase awareness of clinical research and foster trust in the medical system. Stage 2: Opportunities to Join Specific Trials Informed protocol development is a key step in designing studies that have a potential for strong enrollment by underserved groups. Published recommendations for improved recruitment of minority patients in clinical trials include defining the demographic and social profiles to be included, using focus groups to identify potential barriers, Advocacy groups can be helpful in imparting the importance of clinical and ensuring eligibility criteria are as broad as possible. 26,27 trials to patients and their family and friends. Groups such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society increase Community healthcare providers can have insight into effective the awareness of cancer research through several public outreach methods for recruitment of local patient populations into oncology efforts, including fundraising activities such as road races. trials.27 They also may be helpful in determining the most effective mass media to use in study promotion and recruitment and may be Education of primary care physicians about the importance of willing to post advertisements for clinical trials within their centers. clinical research and about ongoing research in their community can aid their ability to discuss options with their patients. The Institute of Advocacy groups can be instrumental in providing patients with Medicine (IOM) April 2010 report, “A National Cancer Clinical Trials information on ongoing studies. For example, The Multiple Myeloma System for the 21st Century: Reinvigorating the NCI Cooperative Research Foundation is launching an online community and patient Group Program” included a recommendation to “incentivize the support center that will connect patients and provide information participation of patients and physicians.” about clinical trials. In addition, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 24 The ASCO 2011 report, “Accelerating Progress Against Cancer” advocates the development and dissemination of educational modules Figure 6. Overcoming Barriers Stage 2: Opportunities to Join Specific Trials 23, 26-29 and materials regarding core concepts of clinical research that are designed to be used during training across all medical disciplines with a reach across both academia and community-based settings. Additionally, ASCO has established working groups comprising investigators and leaders from academic and medical institutions to discuss ways to reward physician-based participation in research focusing on team-oriented approaches.23 clinipace.com 6

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