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. 2016 Aug 15:3:86-93.
doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2016.04.005.

Patient participation in cancer clinical trials: A pilot test of lay navigation

Kathleen B Cartmell  1 , Heather S Bonilha  2 , Terri Matson  3 , Debbie C Bryant  1 , Jane G Zapka  4 , Tricia A Bentz  3 , Marvella E Ford  5 , Chanita Hughes-Halbert  6 , Kit N Simpson  2 , Anthony J Alberg  5
Affiliations

Patient participation in cancer clinical trials: A pilot test of lay navigation

Kathleen B Cartmell et al. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. .

Abstract

Background: Clinical trials (CT) represent an important treatment option for cancer patients. Unfortunately, patients face challenges to enrolling in CTs, such as logistical barriers, poor CT understanding and complex clinical regimens. Patient navigation is a strategy that may help to improve the delivery of CT education and support services. We examined the feasibility and initial effect of one navigation strategy, use of lay navigators.

Methods: A lay CT navigation intervention was evaluated in a prospective cohort study among 40 lung and esophageal cancer patients. The intervention was delivered by a trained lay navigator who viewed a 17-minute CT educational video with each patient, assessed and answered their questions about CT participation and addressed reported barriers to care and trial participation.

Results: During this 12-month pilot project, 85% (95% CI: 72%-93%) of patients eligible for a therapeutic CT consented to participate in the CT navigation intervention. Among navigated patients, CT understanding improved between pre- and post-test (means 3.54 and 4.40, respectively; p-value 0.004), and 95% (95% CI: 82%-98%) of navigated patients consented to participate in a CT. Navigated patients reported being satisfied with patient navigation services and CT participation.

Conclusions: In this formative single-arm pilot project, initial evidence was found for the potential effect of a lay navigation intervention on CT understanding and enrollment. A randomized controlled trial is needed to examine the efficacy of the intervention for improving CT education and enrollment.

Keywords: barriers to care; clinical trial education; clinical trial enrollment; clinical trial understanding; health disparities; patient navigation.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Results for the process of recruitment and enrollment of patients into the clinical trial navigation intervention.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Results for the process of recruitment and enrollment of navigated patients into clinical trials.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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