Date of Submission
4-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Health Science
Department
Health Sciences
First Advisor
Pavani Rangachari, Ph.D., CPH
Second Advisor
Mary Lamothe, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Maggie Holland, Ph.D., MPH
MeSH
Clinical Trial, Neoplasms
LCSH
Clinical trials, Population, Minorities, Cancer--Research, Regional disparities
Abstract
Background: Clinical trials are crucial in advancing scientific knowledge and interventions and exploring more efficient and safe treatments to improve patient care and health outcomes. The active participation of patients and researchers has made it feasible to conduct clinical trials that have been ground-breaking and become the standardized practice of care; however, the participation of underrepresented populations in clinical trials has been identified to be low. This issue can impact the generalizability of findings from clinical trials and efforts to promote health equity. Appropriate representation from underrepresented populations in clinical trials is vital; it will contribute to equitable healthcare for all patients, improve the standard of care practices, and ultimately improve healthcare quality.
Purpose: This study examined the barriers to recruiting and retaining underrepresented populations in cancer clinical trials. From the clinical trial research coordinating staff perspective, it investigated why the solutions to this problem identified in the existing literature have yet to be implemented successfully. Additionally, this study sought to bridge the gap in the limited literature to examine the perspectives of clinical trial research coordinating staff on why the barriers to recruitment and retention persist despite considerable efforts to identify solutions.
Methodology: Semi-structured interviews with clinical trial research coordinating staff to gain insight into the barriers to implementing solutions for recruiting and retaining underrepresented populations in clinical trials.
Results: 12 individuals signed informed consent and voluntarily participated in this semistructured interview. The participants were three clinical research nurse coordinators, three clinical research coordinators, three regulatory coordinators, and three finance and budget specialists. The study identified the emerging themes 1) lack of leadership support, 2) staff shortage, 3) financial burden, and 4) lack of resources. The themes identified are linked together, where one problem is the cause of the other, which leads to an inability to implement the solutions as described in the existing literature. While these solutions can be easily implemented with a strong leadership, appropriate allocation of funds, and the availability of staff and resources, the changes will occur only when there is a change in the organizational structure.
Recommended Citation
Yousafi, Sumbul, "Exploring Barriers to Recruitment and Retention in Cancer Clinical Trials Among Underrepresented Populations: Perspectives of Clinical Trial Research Coordinating Staff" (2024). Health Science Doctoral Thesis. 14.
https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/healthscidocthesis/14