Abstract A30: Evaluating Spanish audiovisual materials about cancer clinical trials: Improving awareness among Hispanic patients and families

Abstract

Introduction: Hispanic cancer patients are underrepresented in cancer clinical trials (CCTs). Recent research suggests lack of knowledge and low health literacy among non-English speaking Hispanics may contribute to low accrual rates. Audiovisual materials offer advantages to Hispanic populations in that they have been shown to have: high acceptability; easy dissemination; and can also be viewed with family. Hispanic cancer patients/survivors and caregivers participated in focus groups to aid in developing a Spanish language DVD and booklet intervention. This multi-media intervention was designed to meet the specific needs of cancer patients who prefer speaking Spanish by increasing knowledge and decreasing uncertainty about CCTs. This pilot project explored the feasibility, and effectiveness of the multimedia intervention developed by our team. Methods: 25 patients were randomized to either: (1) an intervention condition in which they were asked to view the DVD and read the accompanying brochure (n=13); or (2) a control condition in which they were asked to read the National Cancer Institute's brochure entitled “Si tiene cáncer…Lo que debería saber sobre estudios clínicos” (If You Have Cancer…What You Should Know About Clinical Trials; n=12). Self-report data on knowledge, attitudes toward participation in CCT, self efficacy for participating in CCT, likelihood of participating in a CCT, and receptivity to CCT information, were collected at two time points: 1) in person, following study enrollment, but before receipt of the intervention assignment; and 2) by telephone interview between 7 and 28 days following study enrollment. Results: Twenty-five of twenty eight eligible patients (89%) participated in the study, mean age: 51.5 years; 48% female; 72% currently married). Despite the small sample size, trends in the data suggest participants provided with the multimedia DVD and brochure intervention believed themselves to be more capable of participating in a CCT, more receptive to learning about a CCT, and reported greater likelihood of participating in a CCT compared to patients provided standard NCI educational materials. Patients in both conditions were more knowledgeable about CCTs at follow-up. Preliminary pilot data should be confirmed in a larger randomized control trial. However, a multi-media intervention found to be effective in increasing Hispanic patients’ confidence in participating and intention to participate in a CCT has the potential to be widely disseminated. Dissemination of such an intervention may improve the quality of care for Hispanic cancer patients who are eligible for CCTs. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A30.