Training Community Health Workers About Cancer Clinical Trials

Innovative projects to reduce disparities in cancer treatment and research include partnerships between academic and community
cancer centers, patient navigation programs and strategies to promote community awareness, education and engagement. A 4 h
training program about cancer clinical trials was developed through a needs assessment and in collaboration with community
health workers who served as consultants and a larger advisory board comprised of community health workers, educators and
clinical trialists. This program was delivered first as a collaboration between a phsycian who is experienced in the conduct
of clinical research and two community health workers, and subsequently by the community health workers alone. We report on
four workshops attended by a total of 61 community health workers recruited from Boston-area hospitals, community health centers
and outreach programs. Support for and knowledge of clinical trials was measured in a pretest and post-test, which also included
a satisfaction rating. Participants had a range of prior experience with clinical trials in the context of their personal
and professional experience. Mean accuracy of knowledge about clinical trials increased from 72 to 84%, support for clinical
trials improved considerably, and satisfaction with the training experience was high. Knowledge gaps and low levels of support
for cancer clinical trials among community health workers can be improved with a short training program delivered by other
community health workers. Further research is needed to identify the impact of this training on accrual to cancer clinical
trials.