Clinical research nurses' perceptions of the unique needs of people of color for successful recruitment to cancer clinical trials

Abstract

BackgroundClinical trials (CTs) test new medical products for safety and effectiveness. Despite federal policy aimed at generating greater inclusivity of people of color (POC) in CTs, disparity in (CT) enrollment persists. Non-Hispanic White patients comprise the majority of CT participants while Black and Hispanic patient participation has declined over the past decade. The scope of Clinical Research Nurses (CRNs) includes recruitment of participants for CTs. The aim of this phenomenological study was to describe adult oncology CRNs' lived experiences of recruiting POC cancer patients to participate in CTs. The first paper for this study identified three major themes regarding how CRNs view their role in caring for POC considering or enrolling onto cancer clinical trials (CCTs): CRNs act as advocates, care coordinators and educators. This paper focuses on two additional major themes regarding how CRNs view the unique needs of POC in clinical research: establishing and maintaining trusting relationships and recruitment infrastructure. MethodsNineteen nurses participated in semi-structured one-to-one interviews and data analysis was based on Colaizzi's method. ResultsCRNs described a history of past research injustices, disparate access to care, inadequate cultural training, a physician-driven recruitment structure and provider-based implicit biases that hinder POC enrollment in CTs. ConclusionDiversity in CCT enrollment requires CRNs to establish trust with POC, advocate for POC when implicit biases are observed and become competent practitioners of culturally sensitive care. Further, meaningful policy change at both federal and organizational levels must occur to ensure equitable access to novel cancer therapies.