Related Experiment Videos
A study on recruitment of black Americans into clinical trials through a cultural competence lens
F H Outlaw1, J N Bourjolly, F K Barg
1Psychiatric Mental Health Program, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Black Americans are stricken disproportionately with cancer. However, they continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials aimed at systematically investigating treatment methods or studying the effectiveness of cancer detection and prevention. Because participation in clinical trials can offer patients access to state-of-the-art therapy in a research context, it is imperative that black Americans have proportional representation in such trials. The purpose of this article is to describe findings from the first phase of a two-phase project on recruitment of black Americans into clinical trials. In the first phase, physicians and data managers in a large, urban prestigious cancer center were asked to identify factors they believed prevent black Americans from participating in clinical trials. Findings from this study were congruent with the literature about why physicians and other health care providers believe black Americans do not participate in clinical trials. However, the findings were examined through a cultural competence lens, adding a fresh perspective to the consideration of what interventions can be developed to eradicate underrepresentation of black Americans in clinical trials. The second phase will assess the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of black Americans related to clinical trials in the geographic area of the cancer center.
Insights
Black Americans face higher cancer rates but are underrepresented in clinical trials. Addressing physician-identified barriers through cultural competence is key to improving participation and cancer care equity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Health Disparities
- Clinical Trial Recruitment
Background:
- Black Americans experience a disproportionately high burden of cancer.
- Underrepresentation of Black Americans in clinical trials limits treatment advancements and prevention strategies.
- Clinical trial participation offers access to cutting-edge therapies and research-driven care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report findings from the initial phase of a project focused on recruiting Black Americans into clinical trials.
- To identify physician and data manager perspectives on barriers to Black American participation in clinical trials.
- To analyze these barriers through a cultural competence framework.
Main Methods:
- Phase one involved surveying physicians and data managers at a major urban cancer center.
- Participants were asked to identify factors hindering Black American enrollment in clinical trials.
- Findings were interpreted using a cultural competence lens.
Main Results:
- Identified factors align with existing literature on perceived barriers to clinical trial participation for Black Americans.
- The cultural competence perspective offers a novel approach to understanding these barriers.
- This phase sets the stage for assessing patient knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors in phase two.
Conclusions:
- Physician and staff perceptions of barriers are consistent with current research.
- A cultural competence framework provides new insights for developing targeted interventions.
- Addressing these barriers is crucial for achieving equitable representation in cancer clinical trials.