Abstract A76: Recruitment practices for minority and underserved populations in NRG Oncology: Results of an online survey
Authors: Yeager Kate , Cronin Walter M. , Cecchini Reena S. , Duncan Martha , Boparai Jaskaran , Cook Elise D. , Brown Carol L. , Paskett Electra D. 
Published: March 2017

Cancer clinical trials (CCT) provide much of the evidence for clinical guidelines and standards of care. To achieve optimal patient-centered care, all patients should have access to the latest treatments and the high quality care that typifies CCT. Low levels of CCT participation are well documented, especially for minorities. The barriers to CCT accrual are numerous including patient, provider, and system level factors. To identify provider and system level barriers to CCT accrual and current best practices in recruitment, an online survey was conducted about recruitment practices for population groups represented across the NRG Oncology network. The aims were: 1) to learn more about how sites recruit patients, especially minority/underserved populations, 2) to identify areas where additional training on accrual of minority/underserved populations is needed.

The survey was conducted in January 2016 and was sent to 626 NRG Network Lead Research Associates and Local Site Research Associates with 215 submitting a completed survey (34% response rate). Questions were asked about specific recruitment practices, both successful and unsuccessful, required training related to research and cultural competency, methods for eligibility screening, and questions about catchment area.

Responses showed that multiple methods were used to improve recruitment for CCT. Almost all respondents (90%) reported using written and verbal methods for disseminating information about trials and CCT recruitment, including posting information on institutional websites, distributing written materials and using patient navigators. Only 7% reported using social media for recruitment. A small proportion (12.9%) used incentives to improve recruitment including money, gift cards, parking and travel reimbursements. The most effective methods reported by respondents for recruiting minority/underserved participants included the use of patient navigators and written materials translated in languages other than English. Most sites (82%) reported using a formal mechanism for eligibility screening with the research nurse (77.7%), principal investigator (63.0%), and/or clinical research associate (49.8%) responsible for screening patients. Most institutions reported using a screening/enrollment tracking system (73.8%) and gathered data on the number of potentially eligible participants, number that were offered a clinical trial, number that agreed or refused to participate, and reasons for refusal. Cultural competency training for research staff was required by 45.5% of respondents. About half of the responding sites used one-on-one CCT training and 25% used courses outside of their institution. Most sites (81.2%) did not use community partners to assist with recruitment of minorities. About half (55%) reported having a defined catchment area with geographic variances ranging from a single county to 5 states.

The NRG Oncology online survey provides useful information that could improve trial enrollment and shape future training efforts in recruiting minority/underserved populations to CCT. Specific areas that merit further investigation include; web based methods for CCT recruitment and tracking, cultural competency training, definition of catchment areas, use of patient navigators in recruitment activities, and the role of community members for enhanced CCT enrollment. A number of potential recruitment and training pilot programs will likely be initiated based on the survey results.

Citation Format: Kate Yeager, Walter M. Cronin, Reena S. Cecchini, Martha Duncan, Jaskaran Boparai, Elise D. Cook, Carol L. Brown, Electra D. Paskett. Recruitment practices for minority and underserved populations in NRG Oncology: Results of an online survey. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A76.