Ensuring Participant Diversity and Engagement during COVID-19

The Georgia Clinical & Translational Science Alliance- Georgia CTSA and Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute -SC-CTSI have collaborated to provide free, high quality educational programs for clinical research professionals at novice to expert levels of experience. At the completion of each course or program, participants earn contact hours recognized by a certificate and/or badge.

Description:

Current issues affecting clinical trial recruitment and barriers associated with clinical research access will be discussed. The main barriers include mistrust, lack of information of the research process and limited clinical trial awareness, logistical obstacles such as time and resource constraints, and a lack of cultural competency and knowledge among study staff. The importance of diversity in research, engagement strategies for minority populations and how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the research landscapes will be explored.

Topics:

1. Current issues in clinical trial recruitment
   • Recruitment goals not met
   • Lack of: inclusivity, efficiency, focused approaches/strategies based on formative research, proper engagement, follow-up and return of results
2. Importance of diversity
   • Requirements from regulatory bodies
     • NIH Revitalization Act
     • FDA Drug Trials Snapshots
     • NCI-designated cancer center catchment area
   • “Why are Health Studies so White?” (16 Jun 2016 - The Atlantic)
3. What prevents clinical trial participation?
   • Technological barriers
   • Geographical barriers
   • Psychosocial issues
   • Lack of knowledge about medical research
4. Strategies for engaging minority populations in research
   • Barriers and how to make participation easier
5. Ensure greater diversity
   • Understand your study population
   • Cultural competency training
   • Approach community stakeholders and key opinion leaders
6. COVID-19 influence
   • Distractions
   • Scheduling issues
   • Family obligations
   • Financial concerns
   • Alternative contact methods
7. Examples of community engagement within Southern California Clinical Translational Science Institute (CTSI)
8. Additional Resources
   • Toolkit for Recruitment and Retention Success
   • Toolkit for Developing Community Partnerships
   • Tips and Tricks for Successful Research Recruitment
   • Community Advisory Board Toolkit

Speaker:

Nicki Karimipour, PhD, is an Associate Director of Communications and Clinical Research Support at SC CTSI. In her current role she establishes and maintains essential relationships with key stakeholders within and outside of the Institute for the purposes of furthering SC CTSI’s reach, mission statement, and adoption of services among local investigators. In addition, she handles internal and external communications, oversees marketing efforts, branding, and media relations. In her role within the Clinical Research Support program, she oversees high-level clinical trial operations while planning and implementing strategic initiatives to promote effective, streamlined and compliant clinical research. She also assists investigators with the development of communication plans for maximizing participant recruitment and works with other SC CTSI core groups to leverage existing recruitment tools and collaboratively develop new tools. Prior to coming to SC CTSI, she worked as the Assistant to the Director of Strategy and Communications at the University of Florida CTSA hub. She has previous professional experience working in journalism, public relations, health-related strategic communications, and launching a digital health magazine for millennials. Additionally, she is a part-time faculty at California State University, Los Angeles in the Department of Public Health, where she educates the next generation of public health professionals at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Dr. Karimipour has a Ph.D. in Health Communications from the University of Florida and Master of Arts from the University of Florida. nicki.karimipour@med.usc.edu

Learner Level: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced

Audience: This symposium is designed for Clinical Research Assistant/Associates or Clinical Research Coordinators in academia, clinics, hospitals, industry, or CRO with 1- 2 years of clinical research experience. Individuals may be new to clinical research with limited knowledge of clinical trial conduct, good clinical practices, regulations and common terminology associated with clinical research.

Contact Hours:

Emory Nursing Professional Development Center (ENPDC) is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Attendees to this CNE activity will be awarded 0.50 Continuing Nursing Education contact hours from ENPDC.

Need Help with Registration? Please contact us at ene@emory.edu or 404-727-9208.

Program Information: This is the sixth course in a six (6)-course program. To complete the entire program and earn a badge CLICK HERE.

Learner Disclosures:

Accreditation Status: Emory Nursing Professional Development Center (ENPDC) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation.

Financial Relationships: ENPDC has evaluated everyone who has the ability to control content of this activity (planning committee members, subject matter experts, presenters) and found that no relevant financial relationships exist.

Awarding Contact Hours: To obtain contact hours participants must:

·       Review the entire activity

·       Pass the quiz 

·       Complete the evaluation at the end

Certificates will be distributed at the end of the evaluation.

Enduring Materials Dates:

·       Start Date: 4/22/2024

·       Expiration Date: 4/22/2027