Refining Our "CRAFT": The Community Research Academy to Foster RepresenTation (CRAFT) Program

Area of Science:

• Health Equity
• Clinical Trials Research
• Community Engagement

Background:

• Mino ritized groups, including Black Americans, are underrepresented in clinical research, leading to health inequities.
• Community Outreach and Engagement offices aim to bridge the gap between research institutions and communities.
• Community health workers (CHWs) can serve as crucial advocates to improve research participation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and evaluation of a program to empower CHWs as clinical research advocates.
• To enhance CHWs' understanding and perception of clinical trial importance and processes.

Main Methods:

• Developed the Community Research Academy to Foster RepresenTation (CRAFT) program, a "train the trainer" session.
• Adapted evidence-based materials on clinical trial importance, including "myth busters" and participant panels.
• Evaluated CRAFT for acceptability, knowledge change, perception shifts, and maintenance of learning.

Main Results:

• Initial training showed high satisfaction, with reported increases in knowledge (48%) and perception (33%).
• Refresher training demonstrated improved satisfaction (94%), increased knowledge (47%), and significantly higher objective knowledge (73%).
• Fifty percent of participants maintained or improved their objective knowledge scores after both sessions.

Conclusions:

• The CRAFT program effectively increased awareness, knowledge, and positive perception of clinical research among diverse CHWs.
• The training demonstrated potential for knowledge maintenance over time.
• Future steps include refining the curriculum and expanding its reach to other institutions and community health advisors.