Doctoral Project Defense: Leslie Greenberg

Candidate: Leslie Greenberg

Major: Nursing

Advisor: Lisa Chaplin, D.N.P.

Title: Decreasing Barriers to Enrollment in Cancer Clinical Trials: An Education Intervention

Cancer is a public health problem and the second leading cause of death in the U.S. Cancer clinical trial (CCT) participation is needed to create new therapies and treatments to improve cancer care and reduce the cost and emotional and physical burden of cancer in the U.S. Historically, adult participation in cancer clinical trials is low, with only about six percent of patients treated at Community Centers participating in clinical trials. Patient-related internal barriers to CCT enrollment may include personal beliefs and reservations about clinical trial participation.

The purpose of this project was to measure the impact of CCT education on CCT knowledge and attitudes in patients with cancer. It was a quality improvement project with a pre-post design. Eleven participants were recruited and enrolled. They watched the PRE-ACT (Preparatory Education About Clinical Trials) web-based videos designed to improve preparation for decision making in CCTs and attended a question-and-answer session with CCT staff. Before watching the videos, participants completed the Knowledge Statements about Clinical Trials survey and Attitudes to Randomized Trial Questionnaire (ARTQ) survey. After watching the videos, participants completed these two surveys again along with the Preparation for Decision Making (PrepDM) Scale.

CCT Knowledge scores did not differ significantly from pre- to post-education (Z = 1.73, p = .084). This was due in part because of the high pre-education scores. For the ARTQ survey there were no significant changes in these responses from pre- to post-education. The PrepDM scale overall score ranged from 57 to 100, with a mean of 83.9 (SD = 14.4) and a median of 80.0. This suggests a high level of preparedness to make a decision. The sample was underpowered limiting the ability to determine statistical significance. However, all participants stated that they saw value in the CCT education. Many participants were aware of CCTs but had not considered CCTs as a potential treatment option. One participant enrolled in a CCT post-education. CCT education helps to address patient barriers to participation in CCTs. This project showed that patients with cancer find CCT education valuable and may consider current and future participation after CCT education