The purpose of this project, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center and the Office of Research on Minority Health, is to increase awareness of research studies at the NIH Clinical Center among minority patient and professional audiences. Target audiences include African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asian/Pacific Islanders. The literature and our previous experience has taught us that a multi-faceted strategy is essential. To reach our audiences we are using qualitative research, materials development, targeted community outreach and educational efforts, advertising, technology, and partnership development. We selected an advisory group that we involved in the planning and implementation of all strategies. Our target audiences have some understandable reasons to fear clinical trials. To overcome these fears, we are learning that certain underlying factors are critical to the successful implementation of the strategies. We will discuss these drivers of success, which include relationship building, effective listening skills, pace setting, follow-up, an educational approach, and the theme of inclusion. We measure our success by the increase in the number of calls from potential patients inquiring about participation in clinical studies. In one year, calls from persons who identified their ethnicity increased as follows: African Americans (80.10%); Native Americans (78.89%); Asian/Pacific Islanders (62.10%); and Hispanics (36.60%).
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants (learners) in this session will be able to: (1) identify key success factors for working with ethnic minority populations; and (2) develop ways to involve advisors as gatekeepers.
Keywords: Clinical Trails, Ethnic Minorities
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center, Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office; and Office of Research on Minority Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.