Promoting clinical research to medically underserved communities: current practices and perceptions about clinical trial recruiting strategies

Introduction Although clinical trials have the potential to provide the most advanced medical treatments and screening options, accrual rates remain low among medically underserved populations. Strategies to enhance clinical trial recruitment are frequently undertaken without developing, implementing, and evaluating communication and educational activities. This study assesses the current clinical trial recruiting efforts taking place at academic medical centers in a southeastern state and explores principal investigators' attitudes and beliefs about how to successfully recruit for clinical trials, in the general population, and in African American and rural communities. Methods An online survey was used to collect responses from clinical trial principal investigators working in a southeastern state's five main academic medical centers. Respondents were asked about their experience with recruitment and recruiting strategies, in general, and in the African American and rural communities. Results Respondents said that it was most difficult to find rural residents to participate in clinical trials ( M = 3.60, SD = .93), followed by the general public ( M = 3.30, SD = .99) and African American residents ( M = 3.15, SD = .99). Investigators most often reported personally recruiting their patients ( M = 3.50, SD = 1.34) and through local doctors ( M = 2.80, SD = 1.20). Principal investigators rarely recruit through faith-based organizations ( M = 1.74, SD = 1.05), or by using radio ( M = 1.62, SD = .90), or television ads ( M = 1.42, SD = .75). Conclusion Clinical trial investigators rarely communicate about clinical research outside of the medical setting or partner with community organizations or local doctors to reach individuals in medically underserved communities. Study implications describe the importance of educating research teams about how best to promote clinical trial awareness and knowledge.