Barriers to Clinical Trial Enrollment in Racial and Ethnic Minority Patients With Cancer

Overview

Journal Cancer Control

Specialty Oncology

Date 2016 Nov 15

PMID 27842322

Citations 202

Authors

Lauren M Hamel

Louis A Penner

Terrance L Albrecht

Elisabeth Heath

Clement K Gwede

Susan Eggly

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Clinical trials that study cancer are essential for testing the safety and effectiveness of promising treatments, but most people with cancer never enroll in a clinical trial - a challenge exemplified in racial and ethnic minorities. Underenrollment of racial and ethnic minorities reduces the generalizability of research findings and represents a disparity in access to high-quality health care.

Methods: Using a multilevel model as a framework, potential barriers to trial enrollment of racial and ethnic minorities were identified at system, individual, and interpersonal levels. Exactly how each level directly or indirectly contributes to doctor-patient communication was also reviewed. Selected examples of implemented interventions are included to help address these barriers. We then propose our own evidence-based intervention addressing barriers at the individual and interpersonal levels.

Results: Barriers to enrolling a diverse population of patients in clinical trials are complex and multilevel. Interventions focused at each level have been relatively successful, but multilevel interventions have the greatest potential for success.

Conclusion: To increase the enrollment of racial and ethnic minorities in clinical trials, future interventions should address barriers at multiple levels.

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