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330636
Asian Americans' Perception of Clinical Trials


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

Helen Lam, PhD, RN, UCCCC Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Disparities, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Michael Quinn, Phd, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Edwin Chandrasekar, MPPM, Asian Health Coalition, Chicago, IL
Sharon Song, PhD, Asian Health Coalition, Chicago, IL
Benjamin Rucker, MPH, Chinese Mutual Aid Associatiion
Soukanh Thavisouk, Lao American Organization of Elgin, Elgin, IL
Karen Kim, MD, MS, Director, UCCCC Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Disparities, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Background/Significance:   The participation of racial/ethnic minorities and other underrepresented groups in clinical trials (CTs) is a critical link between scientific innovation and improvement in health delivery, as well as provisions of evidence-based medicine. However, the number of minorities participating in CTs remains low, and Asian Americans (AAs) are no exception.

Objective/Purpose:  The purpose of this study was to understand AAs perception of CTs and their willingness to participate.

Method:   This study used a cross-sectional design and a convenience, quota sample. Participants were recruited through seven community-based organizations (CBOs) and from six Asian subgroups – Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Filipinos and Vietnamese. The 10-items survey tool, developed collaboratively by CBOs and research staff, was designed to measure perceived benefits and costs of CTs. Survey instrument was translated, back translated in participants’ native language.

Results:   A total of 421 participants completed the survey. Nearly 98% were foreign-born and 74% were >50 years old. The majority (73%) lived in the U.S. >10 years and 44% lived in a family annual income <$20,000.  About 31% had <9 years of education. Only 33% thought CTs were harmful or considered language to be a barrier. The majority thought CTs could be beneficial to their community (83%) and helpful to advance medical knowledge and improve treatment (87%). About 44% thought their community did not know much about CTs and 70% agreed that they would consider participation if they knew more about CTs. 86% agreed that CTs provided patients with an opportunity to try new treatment and 53% acknowledged that not all patients would receive new treatments.

Discussion/Conclusion:    It is often argued that racial/ethnic minorities do not participate in CTs because they don’t understand the importance of CTs, or because of language barriers, or distrust the system. However, our findings challenge these assumptions.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture

Learning Objectives:
Identify two strategies that may increase participation in clinical trials in Asian Americans.

Keyword(s): Clinical Trials, Asian Americans

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working on multiple federally funded projects focusing on health disparities among Asian Americans.
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.

Back to: 3339.0: Innovative Interventions and Translational Research Addressing Asian American and/or Pacific Islander American Health