186112 Maryland Models: Assuring Diversity in Cancer Trials: National Best Practice

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 2:45 PM

Claudia Baquet, MD, MPH , Center for Health Disparities Research, Outreach and Training, University of Maryland-School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Mary DeShields, MD , Eastern Shore Oncology, Easton, MD
     
A low participation rate in clinical trials is a contributing factor to cancer health disparities among minority populations. Low participation rates can be attributed to several factors including: lack of knowledge by patients and physicians, attitudes, and practices, fear and pessimism, inadequate infrastructure, historical factors, SES, culture and religious beliefs.

Tobacco-related diseases disparities research spans a continuum encompassing basic, clinical, and translational research, as well as community based research. Translating research into practice requires both community engagement and fostering public trust. Increasing participation in clinical trials for underserved communities is feasible, as illustrated by the University of Maryland models.

The Goals and Aims of the Maryland Community Clinical Trial Program are to Increase awareness, availability and diversity in clinical trials in underserved communities.

The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) partnered with Eastern Shore Oncology and developed a model to increase clinical trial availability, participation and accrual in rural Eastern Shore of Maryland. This multi-pronged approach included intensive patient and physician education, infrastructure support and community engagement.

Selected Outcomes include: 1) In five years: 20 fold increase in cancer protocols open; 2) 40 fold patient accrual to trials 3) 25% rural African American cancer patients; 4) Favorable external rigorous audits by: CTSU, ECOG, and other CGs

SWOG award for high data quality

This model was the recipient of “National Best Practice Award” from DHHS Secretary and Committee on Science and Policy HHS, in 2004.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to describe contributing factors to low minority participation in clinical trials; Participants will be able apply methods utilized by the Maryland Community Clinical Trial Program to increase minority participation in clinical trials Participants will be able to describe how researchers can utilize community engagement and fostering public trust to increase participation in clinical trials among underserved communities.

Keywords: Clinical Trials, Underserved Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract Author on the content I am responsible for because I hold an MD, MPH and have extensive research experience in the field of health and health disparities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Cancer Prevention and Control
See more of: Public Health Education and Health Promotion