Defining the role of public health professionals in developing and disseminating targeted messages about clinical research on salient public health topics is new territory. The goal of targeted, audience-centered communications is to ensure that all populations, especially those underrepresented in clinical research, receive culturally relevant and accurate information on which to base decisions about medical research. This paper presents evidence that the public health practitioner's role is central to building broad-based awareness about clinical trials and ultimately fostering interest in participation in those trials, critical steps toward understanding diseases disproportionately affecting certain racial and ethnic minority populations. Using data from selected communications programs sponsored by the Federal government and leading pharmaceutical firms, the paper demonstrates how public health professionals played key roles in designing and communicating information about enrollment in clinical trials. Each program utilized social marketing research, including in-person and telephone interviews, focus groups, and message and materials tests. Based on the research results, the programs applied culturally-appropriate education and recruitment strategies, for example, one-on-one interventions, print advertisements and materials, and community outreach. These strategies clearly led to an increase in knowledge and participation in clinical trials.
Learning Objectives: Participants will: learn how key role of the public > health practitioner can influence clinical trial recruitment; learn how to > develop materials for clinical trial recruitment; and see examples of how to > evaluate communications related to clinical trial recruitment.
Keywords: Clinical Trails, Special Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.