Abstract IA-52: Improving access to research among individuals from under-represented racial and ethnic minority communities: The Strengthening Research In Diverse Enrollment (STRIDE) Study
Authors: Lemon Stephenie C. , Allison Jeroan J. , Danila Maria I. , Goins Karin Valentine , Chiriboga German , Fischer Melissa , Puliafico Melissa , Mudano Amy S. , Rahn Elizabeth J. , Merchant Jeanne , Lawrrence Colleen E. , Dunkel Leah , Israel Tiffany , Barton Bruce , Jenoure Fred , Alexander Tiffany , Cruz Danny , Douglas Marva , Sims Jacqueline , Richmond Al , Roberson Erik , Chambless Carol , Harris Paul A. , Saag Kenneth G. 
Published: January 2022

INTRODUCTION Under-representation in health-related research is one of a multitude of factors that contribute to cancer disparities experienced by African American and Latinx communities. Barriers to research participation stem from historical social injustices, are multi-faceted and include factors specific to the research process, research team members and community experiences and expectations about research participation. Informed consent is a longitudinal process and represents an opportunity to address these barriers and potentially improve access to research by individuals from underrepresented groups. The purpose of the Strengthening Translational Research in Diverse Enrollment (STRIDE) study was to develop and test an integrated, literacy- and culturally-sensitive, multi-component intervention that addresses barriers to research participation during the informed consent process. METHODS A multi-pronged community engaged approach was used to inform the development the three components of the STRIDE intervention. At each of the three study sites, Community Investigators, local community members of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, contribute to intervention development, pilot testing and dissemination activities. Community engagement studios provided a semi-structured opportunity to solicit feedback from community experts in a facilitated group regarding the relevance, usability and understandability of the STRIDE intervention components. Additionally, component-specific approaches to obtaining community input were utilized. RESULTS The three components were developed and refined with community input. The STRIDE intervention includes: (1) an electronic consent (eConsent) framework within the REDCap software platform that incorporates tools designed to facilitate material comprehension and relevance, (2) a storytelling intervention in which prior research participants from diverse backgrounds share their experiences, and (3) a simulation-based training program for research assistants that emphasizes cultural competency and communication skills for assisting in the informed consent process. CONCLUSIONS The STRIDE project had produced an integrated set of interventions that are available to support researchers across the CTSA hubs and beyond in efforts to enhance diversity in clinical research. Early dissemination of STRIDE intervention components include utilization in national COVID-19 trials and research networks.

Citation Format: Stephenie C. Lemon, Jeroan J. Allison, Maria I. Danila, Karin Valentine Goins, German Chiriboga, Melissa Fischer, Melissa Puliafico, Amy S. Mudano, Elizabeth J. Rahn, Jeanne Merchant, Colleen E. Lawrrence, Leah Dunkel, Tiffany Israel, Bruce Barton, Fred Jenoure, Tiffany Alexander, Danny Cruz, Marva Douglas, Jacqueline Sims, Al Richmond, Erik Roberson, Carol Chambless, Paul A. Harris, Kenneth G. Saag. Improving access to research among individuals from under-represented racial and ethnic minority communities: The Strengthening Research In Diverse Enrollment (STRIDE) Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA-52.