Evaluating a Virtual Community Health Educator to Increase Cancer Clinical Trial Referrals Among Patients and Caregivers

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating how well a virtual community health educator vCHE can increase referrals to cancer clinical trials among patients with cancer and their caregivers. This study addresses the challenge of low enrollment of underrepresented and underserved populations in cancer clinical trials, which can limit the development and implementation of effective interventions. The vCHE is designed to mimic real-life community health workers by offering culturally and linguistically tailored information in English or Spanish, representing diverse genders and racial or ethnic backgrounds. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives information about available cancer clinical trials through the ALEX Research Portal and the virtual community health educator over 20 to 30 minutes on study. The other group receives similar information via online text. Additional questionnaire administration is included as part of ancillary studies. The study uses a parallel design to compare these methods of delivering trial information. During the study, participants receive personalized guidance and support and are assessed for the proportion of referrals to cancer clinical trials within up to three months. Researchers also track the number of patient referrals sent by healthcare providers using the ALEX portal. Participants include both patients with cancer and their care partners, who are involved in decision-making or care. The study involves follow-up to measure referral outcomes and is sponsored by the Mayo Clinic.

A Virtual Community Health Educator for Increasing Clinical Trial Referrals Among Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers