This course aims to teach people how to enhance the recruitment and retention of individuals from minoritized and marginalized communities in clinical trials. We begin by discussing the importance of diversity in clinical research, the lasting impact of past research abuses, and barriers and facilitators to research participation. Next, we explore community engagement principles, effective communication strategies, ways to increase community knowledge and awareness of clinical research, and outreach to community providers. Last, we discuss recruitment planning, person-centered consent, and retention. The course duration is listed as 8 weeks. However, you can work at your own pace and finish the course faster, if so desired. There is no cost to participate in the course; however, there is a fee for obtaining a completion certificate. Financial aid options are available.
CME information:
Vanderbilt University Medical Center designates this enduring material for a maximum of 8.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. For more information, see the first reading assignment in Module 1.
Acknowledgments:
We would like to acknowledge the following members from the Center for Knowledge Management at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for their expertise and insightful contribution in the development and implementation of the course: Sheila Kusnoor, PhD, Marcia Epelbaum, MA, Lori Harding, MLS, Elizabeth Frakes, MSIS, Helen Naylor, MS, Mallory Blasingame, MA, Taneya Koonce, MSLS, MPH, and Nunzia Bettinsoli Giuse, MD, MLS. We would also like to acknowledge Devan Ray, BA, from the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, for her role in project management and contributions to content development. Additionally, we acknowledge ArtMagic Labs, particularly Casey Culver, Victor Tyler, Jake Sucoff, John Martinez, and Robert Eva, for their outstanding work in filming and editing the videos for the course.
The Vanderbilt Recruitment Innovation Center leads the efforts behind the Faster Together project.
This work was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, under the award numbers U24TR001579 and U24TR004432.
Faster Together, Enhancing the Recruitment of Marginalized Communities in Clinical Trials
Vanderbilt University via Coursera
Overview
Syllabus
- Module 1: Understanding the Need to Increase Recruitment of Minoritized Communities in Clinical Trials
- This lesson describes the need to include minoritized racial and ethnic groups in clinical trials. We review how low participation of marginalized communities in research affects health care. We discuss the lasting impact of past research abuses on people’s thoughts about research. Finally, we cover barriers to research participation and how to overcome them.
- Module 2: Key Principles of Community Engagement
- This lesson begins by describing the need to look at one’s own biases. Next, we review effective ways to engage with the community to make recruitment easier. We discuss the steps needed to make community partnerships. Finally, we show how community partnerships can increase recruitment of minoritized racial and ethnic groups in clinical trials.
- Module 3: Reaching Out Into the Community: Effective Communication
- This lesson reviews communication best practices. We discuss ways to improve written and oral communication. The lesson aims to provide the knowledge and tools to communicate more effectively with the public about clinical trials.
- Module 4: Enhancing Community Knowledge and Awareness of Clinical Research
- This lesson describes why it is important to involve the community in the clinical research process. We first discuss why it is important to raise knowledge and awareness of clinical trials in the community. We next explain how building trust and trustworthiness can promote community confidence and participation in research. Last, we discuss ways to raise community awareness about clinical research opportunities.
- Module 5: Outreach with Community Healthcare Providers
- This lesson reviews how partnering with community healthcare providers can help boost participation of marginalized communities in clinical trials. We discuss concerns providers may have about clinical trials. We explain the need to build trust with providers. Last, we present ways to foster provider referral.
- Module 6: Developing an Effective Recruitment and Pre-Screening Plan
- This lesson discusses how effective recruitment planning can help increase participation of marginalized communities in clinical research. We begin by explaining the importance of having a diverse study team, experienced in working with marginalized communities. We next explain the need for identifying the intended community and incorporating their feedback in the recruitment plan. We discuss communication and recruitment methods, recruitment feasibility, and budgeting. Last, we explain the importance of pre-screening to help minimize bias and ensure that anyone who seems eligible is given the chance to participate.
- Module 7: Managing an Effective, Person-Centered Consent Process
- This lesson describes how to conduct the informed consent process using a person-centered approach. We discuss the role of culture, language, health literacy, and support.
- Module 8: Person-Centered Retention
- This lesson describes why retention of participants in clinical trials is important. We review common retention challenges that study participants may face once they agree to be a part of a clinical trial. Finally, we provide approaches to help with retention.
Taught by
Claudia Barajas, BA, Stephanie A. Mayers, MEd, Margo Michaels, MPH, Jabári S. Ichimura, BS, Yvonne Joosten, MPH, Mary Stroud, RN, Tiffany L. Israel, MSSW, Natalie Dilts, MPH, Consuelo Wilkins, M.D., M.S.C.I., and Jasmine Bell, MPH
