Evaluating a national dissemination approach: The National Cancer Institute's clinical trials education program

Felicia M Solomon1, Sona Thakkar, Allison Zambon

  • 1Office of Communications and Education, National Cancer Institute, NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. solomonf@mail.nih.gov

Abstract

Insights

Increasing clinical trial awareness is crucial for boosting adult participation. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) successfully partnered to distribute educational materials, enhancing public knowledge of clinical trials.

Area of Science:

  • Health Communication
  • Clinical Trial Recruitment
  • Public Health Education

Background:

  • Adult participation in clinical trials remains low, with many unaware of these research opportunities.
  • Limited awareness and existing barriers hinder enrollment in clinical trials.
  • Education is vital for increasing public understanding and participation in clinical trials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of disseminated clinical trial educational resources.
  • To assess the impact of partnerships on reaching communities with trial information.
  • To improve awareness and enrollment in clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • The National Cancer Institute (NCI) collaborated with partners to distribute educational materials on clinical trials.
  • Dissemination strategies were employed to reach diverse communities.
  • Program evaluation included surveys and focus groups to assess effectiveness.

Main Results:

  • Partners reported successful dissemination, utilization, and satisfaction with the NCI's educational resources.
  • Survey data confirmed the reach and positive reception of the program.
  • Focus group findings corroborated the survey results, indicating program effectiveness.

Conclusions:

  • The NCI's strategic use of partnerships effectively disseminated resources to enhance clinical trial awareness.
  • The program demonstrated success in broadening the reach of clinical trial education.
  • Collaborative efforts are a viable strategy for improving public engagement with clinical trials.

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Trials: Overview01:11

Clinical Trials: Overview

Clinical development focuses on how the drug will interact with the human body and encompasses four key phases of clinical trials, each serving a specific purpose in assessing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs. These phases overlap and build upon one another. Phase I involves a small group of healthy volunteers (typically 20-80 individuals) or, in cases where significant toxicity is expected, patients with the targeted disease, such as cancer or AIDS. The volunteers are tested for...
Clinical Trials01:16

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are prospective experimental studies conducted on humans to determine the safety and efficacy of treatments, drugs, diet methods, and medical devices. Using statistics in clinical trials enables researchers to derive reasonable and accurate conclusions from the collected data, allowing them to make wise decisions in uncertain situations. In medical research, statistical methods are crucial for preventing errors and bias.
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Cancer Survival Analysis01:21

Cancer Survival Analysis

Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...