Abstract 1975: Community Engagement in Research and Clinical Trial (CERCT) program: The development of an inclusive clinical trials training program for community health workers (CHWs) and pharmacy technicians
Authors: Crook Jennifer M. , Bolajoko Opeyemi , Odedina Folakemi 
Published: April 2023

Background: In the United States, many underrepresented minorities experience health disparities in preventative options, access to care, and participation in research. There remains a critical need for robust inclusiveness and diversity to achieve comprehensive participation in research and true health equity. Community health workers (CHWs) and pharmacy technicians may be an overlooked segment in increasing the community reach necessary in alleviating health disparities. Training individuals from and trusted by the community to educate and discuss the importance of research participation may prove an important community engagement method for achieving diversity in clinical trials.

Aim: This Community Engagement in Research and Clinical Trial (CERCT) program aims to develop a training curriculum on clinical trials education and inclusivity in research for CHWs and pharmacy technicians.

Methods: The CERCT program utilized qualitative methodology in expert in-depth interview sessions with clinical trials and education experts. An appropriate curriculum, content, and mode of training delivery for the program were identified. Interviews also critically reviewed the scientific information most crucial to disseminate to CHWs and Pharmacist technicians, defined the criteria for selecting the most appropriate scientific information for this level of community health partners, and characterized editorial and media management of the training modules.

Results: Eleven CERCT modules were developed comprising the importance and benefits of taking part in research and biomedical trials and how to communicate it to others. Modules included 1) history of clinical trials, including past overreach and the need for biomedical research with humans; 2) human participant research studies education, including qualitative and quantitative components; 3) the difference between behavioral, biomedical, and clinical trials; 4) CHW roles in education of research participation, 5) effective communication strategies, 6) research ethics, 7) human subject protection training, 8) the role of the institutional review board, 9) eligibility to consent, 10) vulnerable populations, and 11) Good Clinical Practice training.

Conclusion: Community health workers and pharmacy technicians are not a consistent avenue for disseminating clinical trial education and research inclusivity benefits. The development of a curriculum aimed at CHWs and pharmacy technicians seeks to empower more community members with the education to inform their communities and increase representation in science. By creatively engaging and educating active community partners about clinical trials, health disparities in chronic diseases such as cancer, may be alleviated.

Citation Format: Jennifer M. Crook, Opeyemi Bolajoko, Folakemi Odedina. Community Engagement in Research and Clinical Trial (CERCT) program: The development of an inclusive clinical trials training program for community health workers (CHWs) and pharmacy technicians [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1975.