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Eugene Lengerich
The Role of Faith and Rurality in Clinical Research Study Participation: Results from a Theory-based Study of Clinical Trials Education in Pennsylvani
Abstract Text:
The process for advancing biomedical knowledge depends upon recruiting an adequate, representative sample of individuals to voluntarily participate in cancer studies. Minority, elderly and female patients are underrepresented in cancer studies, as well as patients from areas with low socioeconomic status, few oncologists, and no approved cancer programs. A consistent personal barrier to participation is lack of awareness of study availability and the requirements for various types of studies (e.g., prevention, treatment). An approach to recruitment that is comprehensive, community-based, and sensitive to the culture of potential participants may increase intent and participation in studies. Using adult learning theory principles, we adapted the National Cancer Institute’s “Clinical Trial Education Series” and tested it in eight sessions in faith-based settings and worksites in rural and urban Pennsylvania. We used a previously tested instrument immediately before and after sessions to measure knowledge and intent to participate in studies and tested the significance with paired t-tests (p<0.05). Ninety persons participated, including 70% female and 28% African American; 52 were from faith-based settings and 38 from worksites, with a mean age of 50 years. We found participants receptive to education on cancer research, increased their knowledge about and intent to participate in cancer studies, and provided suggestions for further adaptation of the session to be more culturally relevant to the faith-based setting and worksite in central Pennsylvania. Our study provides evidence supporting future development and testing of education and recruitment strategies using community- and faith-based approaches to increase participation and representativeness in cancer research.
The Role of Faith and Rurality in Clinical Research Study Participation: Results from a Theory-based Study of Clinical Trials Education in Pennsylvani
Abstract Text:
The process for advancing biomedical knowledge depends upon recruiting an adequate, representative sample of individuals to voluntarily participate in cancer studies. Minority, elderly and female patients are underrepresented in cancer studies, as well as patients from areas with low socioeconomic status, few oncologists, and no approved cancer programs. A consistent personal barrier to participation is lack of awareness of study availability and the requirements for various types of studies (e.g., prevention, treatment). An approach to recruitment that is comprehensive, community-based, and sensitive to the culture of potential participants may increase intent and participation in studies. Using adult learning theory principles, we adapted the National Cancer Institute’s “Clinical Trial Education Series” and tested it in eight sessions in faith-based settings and worksites in rural and urban Pennsylvania. We used a previously tested instrument immediately before and after sessions to measure knowledge and intent to participate in studies and tested the significance with paired t-tests (p<0.05). Ninety persons participated, including 70% female and 28% African American; 52 were from faith-based settings and 38 from worksites, with a mean age of 50 years. We found participants receptive to education on cancer research, increased their knowledge about and intent to participate in cancer studies, and provided suggestions for further adaptation of the session to be more culturally relevant to the faith-based setting and worksite in central Pennsylvania. Our study provides evidence supporting future development and testing of education and recruitment strategies using community- and faith-based approaches to increase participation and representativeness in cancer research.
