Making the invisible visible: Professional education to eliminate disparities in clinical trials

Abstract

It is important to remember the basic organizational and behavioral principles that (1) we cannot address problems of which we are unaware, and (2) knowledge alone is never enough to create change. Meaningful change requires commitment at both institutional and individual levels. Using the EDICT Policy Recommendations together with the Clinical Trials BackPack and CLAS-ACT resources will enable clinical research training programs to (1) increase awareness of clinical trials disparities, (2) provide professional education about how to increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups, and (3) actually implement concrete activities that can change the face of clinical trials research. By doing so, perhaps it will not require another 50 years to eliminate disparities in clinical trials.