Abstract 3635: A randomized trial to examine the effectiveness of an LGBT cultural sensitivity training for oncologists: The COLORS trial
Authors: Schabath Matthew B. , Perez-Morales Jaileene , Hernandez Eryk N. , Miller Jarred D. , Quinn Gwendolyn P. , Seay Julia 
Published: June 2022

Background: Our group developed and piloted the Curriculum for Oncologists on LGBT populations to Optimize Relevance and Skills (COLORS), an interactive web-based LGBT cultural sensitivity training for oncologists. Building on our formative pilot work, in February 2021 we launched a randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of the oncology-specific COLORS training to a general LGBT healthcare cultural sensitivity training. We report here on pre- and post-assessments of this trial.

Methods: From the AMA Masterfile we obtained names and mailing addresses for 5,000 practicing oncologists that were randomly selected for equal distributions across the 9 U.S. Census Divisions. From February to May 2021, we mailed FedEx envelopes to these oncologists that included a invitation letter and information to register for the trial. Using REDCap, oncologists registered, completed a pre-training assessment, were randomized and emailed instructions on how to complete their assigned training (COLORS training or a publicly available web-based LGBT comparison training), and then completed a post-training assessment. The pre- and post-training assessments include measures for knowledge, attitudes (Modern Homonegativity Scale [MHS] and Modified Attitudes Toward LGBT Patients Scale [ATLPS-M], and practice behaviors (Gay Affirmative Practice [GAP] Scale)

Results: As of October 2021, 224 oncologists were enrolled, 201 completed the pre-training and were randomized, and 138 completed the post-training assessment. Among those randomized to COLORS, there were significant decreases from pre- to post-training (median: 24 [IQR 19-30] vs. 22.5 [16-28.5]; p&lt;0.01), indicating a shift toward more positive attitudes, and no significant difference from pre- to post-training for LGBT comparison training (median: 22.5 [IQR 16-29] vs. 22 [14-27]; p=0.98). Both trainings yielded significant (p&lt;0.01) increases from pre- to post-training for the GAP scale, indicating an increase in LGBT-affirming practice behaviors. However, the delta was higher for COLORS vs. LGBT comparison training (Δ 4 vs. Δ 2, respectively). Likewise, both trainings yielded significant (p&lt;0.01) improvements in knowledge from pre- to post-training. Neither training yielded trainings yielded significant differences from pre- to post-training for ATLPS-M.

Conclusion: Results from two prior single-arm trials and now this RCT demonstrate that the COLORS training is effective in improving knowledge, attitudes, and affirming clinical practices related to the care of LGBT patients. This work is generously funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Foundation and BMS Company.

Citation Format: Matthew B. Schabath, Jaileene Perez-Morales, Eryk N. Hernandez, Jarred D. Miller, Gwendolyn P. Quinn, Julia Seay. A randomized trial to examine the effectiveness of an LGBT cultural sensitivity training for oncologists: The COLORS trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3635.