Interpretive Qualitative Evaluation Informs Research Participation and Advocacy Training Program for Seniors: A Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Clinical Research
• Health Communication

Background:

• Older adults, including underrepresented groups, are often underrepresented in clinical research.
• Effective communication strategies are crucial for increasing participation in clinical trials.
• Educational interventions can bridge the gap between researchers and potential participants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week educational intervention (DREAMS) designed to increase clinical research participation among older adults.
• To gather participant feedback on program successes and areas for improvement.
• To identify strategies for enhancing engagement with hard-to-reach older adult populations.

Main Methods:

• An 8-week educational intervention co-taught by medical students and faculty.
• Weekly topics covered age-related changes, socio-contextual factors, and wellness.
• A post-intervention focus group with eight older adults analyzed via thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Participants found the intervention a productive learning experience and viewed most aspects as successful.
• Suggestions for improvement included refining small group activities and sensitive topic delivery (e.g., dementia, death).
• A key benefit was the development of rapport between participants and clinical researchers.

Conclusions:

• The DREAMS intervention shows promise for improving clinical research participation among older adults.
• Program modifications can enhance content delivery and address sensitive subjects more effectively.
• Findings offer insights for future educational interventions targeting underrepresented older adult populations in clinical research.