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. 2024 Dec 6;29(12):e1790-e1793.
doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae247.

Recruitment of informal caregivers into community oncology research studies: results from the 2022 Landscape Assessment

Ying Wang  1 , Chandylen L Nightingale  2 , Christa Braun-Inglis  3 , Katherine Sterba  4 , Kathryn E Weaver  2 , Eden Wood  2 , Sindhuja Kadambi  5 , Umang Gada  6 , Alexander Montes  6 , Allison Magnuson  5 , Sule Yilmaz  6 , Eva Culakova  6 , Sarah Strause  6 , Charles Kamen  6 , Marie Flannery  7 , Karen Mustian  6 , Gary Morrow  6 , Supriya Mohile  5 , Kah Poh Loh  5
Affiliations

Recruitment of informal caregivers into community oncology research studies: results from the 2022 Landscape Assessment

Ying Wang et al. Oncologist. .

Abstract

Understanding the experiences of community oncology practices in recruiting informal (unpaid/family) caregivers into research studies can inform strategies to improve caregiver enrollment. We used data from the 2022 National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Landscape Assessment to describe the experience of recruiting informal caregivers for research studies in community oncology practices. Among 258 practice groups, only one-third (30%, 78/258) reported prior experience recruiting informal caregivers for research studies. In multivariable logistic analyses, having a greater number of oncology providers (increase per 10 providers, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.16, 95% CI 1.03-1.31) and having advanced practice providers (APPs) involved in research (AOR 2.17, 95% CI 1.05-4.48) were significantly associated with prior experience recruiting caregivers. In conclusion, many community oncology practices lack caregiver recruitment experience and may benefit from education, integration of APPs/caregiver stakeholders in research infrastructure, and/or other strategies to improve caregiver recruitment.

Keywords: cancer; caregivers; community oncology; recruitment; recruitment challenges.

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Conflict of interest statement

K.P.L. has served as a consultant to Pfizer and Seagen and has received honoraria from Pfizer. All other authors have no relevant conflicts of interest to report.

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