ENACCT's pilot education program: A community-centered model for enhancing cancer clinical trials participation among medically underserved populations

Cancer clinical trials play a significant role in making progress against cancer. Nationally however, fewer than 3% of adult cancer patients participate, with rates even lower among minorities and medically underserved. ENACCT's (Education Network to Advancer Cancer Clinical Trials) Pilot Education Program (PEP) sought to demonstrate the impact and feasibility of a comprehensive, community-driven outreach and education program to: (1) increase awareness about cancer clinical trials (2) enhance their acceptability, and (3) improve access. PEP utilized an action-oriented train-the-trainer curriculum, focusing on disparities, social justice, patient protection and community dialogue. Cancer clinical trial staff workshops addressed optimization of recruitment and retention practices. Community partnerships also worked with local coalitions and health care institutions to address infrastructure and policy barriers. PEP recruited 75 trainers, who reached 882 community members and 374 health care providers. Additionally 61 cancer clinical trial staff were trained. Among those completing follow-up surveys, 66% of community leaders spoke to others about cancer clinical trials; 94% of health care providers reported willingness to discuss clinical trials with patients. Among cancer clinical trial staff, 80% who completed surveys indicated intention to work with community groups on cancer clinical trials education. Seventy-seven unique patient profiles were created with a national cancer clinical trials matching service. Findings from PEP suggest that community-centered efforts show promise in impacting knowledge, research engagement, and leading to systems change that improve access to clinical trials. New approaches on how to engage stakeholders about cancer clinical trials, including minorities and the medically underserved were also identified.