Abstract C082: Advancing equitable cancer clinical trial access through workforce education: Results of a pre-post training evaluation
Abstract
Demographic disparities in oncology clinical trial participation persist; while research staff perform key research functions, there are few data regarding whether training programs improve their knowledge of trial-related enrollment disparities. We evaluated the impact of an oncology research staff training curriculum on self-perceived knowledge and importance of trial-related health disparities. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s (DFCI) Clinical Trials Access Committee developed an 8-hour training curriculum of five modules: clinical trial access initiatives, stereotypes, disability and ableism, inclusive behaviors, and cultural humility. Four sessions were held from June to Nov 2025 for protocol schedulers, clinical research managers and coordinators, and regulatory operations staff. Baseline engagement was assessed descriptively using the Awareness, Reflection, Empowerment, and Action (AREA) scale; median scores for general clinicians are 18 and engaged clinicians are 29. Pre/post self-perceived knowledge and importance items (8 each) were adapted from the Healthcare Disparities Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors scale and compared via the Wilcoxon signed-rank test; an exploratory summary knowledge score calculated by summing the knowledge items (higher scores indicating more knowledge) was also assessed. Among 177 research staff who attended, 104 (59%) completed pre and post surveys. The median age was 26 years (IQR 23-29), 74% identified as female, 74% White, and 88% non-Hispanic. The most common roles were Clinical Research Coordinator (48%) and Research Manager (17%); 76% had <5 years of research experience. The median AREA score was 20 (IQR 18-24) and did not differ by demographic/professional attributes; most participants agreed with the presence of socioeconomic disparities in cancer care, but few reported taking equity-related actions: 34/102 (33%) had discussed disparities with colleagues and 10/95 (11%) had participated in an equity-focused project. Self-perceived knowledge increased across all eight items; “very knowledgeable” responses increased from 1 to 68% for DFCI’s actions to improve trial access, 18 to 80% for disability-related workplace challenges, 23 to 75% for applying cultural humility concepts, and 24 to 76% for creating an inclusive patient-care environment (all p<0.001, effect sizes>0.65). Composite knowledge score internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s α=0.73 pre, 0.86 post), and median scores increased from 16 to 23.5, with a median change of 7 (IQR 5-8; p<0.001; effect size=0.87). Perceived importance was high at baseline (85-96% rated each topic “very important”); changes were small and not significant due to ceiling effects. A targeted multidisciplinary program was associated with gains in research staff knowledge of strategies to advance equity in cancer trials. High baseline importance ratings but limited recent action suggest a gap between awareness and implementation. Structured education should be paired with opportunities to translate knowledge into actions. Kristen A. Legor, Cameron Keith, Emerald Littlejohn, Christine Champagne, Nadine Jackson, Christopher S. Lathan, Rachel Freedman, Andrew Hantel. Advancing equitable cancer clinical trial access through workforce education: Results of a pre-post training evaluation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 19th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2026 Oct 18-21; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2026;35(10 Suppl):Abstract nr C082.