Recruitment practices for U.S. minority and underserved populations in NRG oncology: Results of an online survey

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Elise D. Cook, University of Texas; Kate Yeager, Emory University; Reena S. Cecchini, University of Pittsburgh; Jaskaran Boparai, NRG Oncology; Carol L. Brown, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Martha Duncan, NRG Oncology; Walter M. Cronin, University of Pittsburgh; Electra D. Paskett, Ohio State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-06-01
• Publisher: Elsevier: Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives License
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 Published by Elsevier Inc.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2018.03.003
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications
• ISSN: 2451-8654
• Volume: 10
• Start Page: 100
• End Page: 104
• Grant/Funding Information: This project was supported by grants UG1CA189867 (NCORP), U10CA180868 (NRG Oncology Operations), and U10CA180822 (NRG Oncology SDMC) from the National Cancer Institute.
• Research Categories: Biology, Biostatistics; Health Sciences, Oncology

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer clinical trials (CCT) provide much of the evidence for clinical guidelines and standards of care. But low levels of CCT participation are well documented, especially for minorities. Methods and materials: We conducted an online survey of 556 recruitment practices across the NRG Oncology network. Survey aims were 1) to learn how sites recruit minority/underserved populations; 2) to better understand the catchment areas of the NRG institutions; and 3) to aid in planning education programs for accrual of minority/underserved populations. Results: The survey response rate was 34.9%. The most effective methods reported for recruiting minority/underserved participants were patient navigators (44.4%) and translators (38.9%). All institutions reported using a mechanism for eligibility screening and 71% of institutions reported using a screening/enrollment tracking system. CCT training was required at 78.1% and cultural competency training was required at 47.5% of responding institutions. Only 19.9% of sites used community partners to assist with minority recruitment and just 37.1% of respondents reported a defined catchment area. Sites reported very little race and ethnicity data. Conclusion: This NRG Oncology online survey provides useful data for improvements in trial enrollment and training to recruit minority/underserved populations to CCT. Areas for further investigation include web-based methods for recruitment and tracking, cultural competency training, definition of catchment areas, use of patient navigators, and community partnerships. The survey results will guide recruitment training programs.