Accelerating Cancer Patient Recruitment Through a Mobile Application (Clinical Trial Finder)

Abstract

Objective: Participant recruitment is a challenge for any clinical trial but is especially complex in cancer specifically due to the need to initiate treatment urgently. Most participants enrolled in oncology clinical trials are identified as potential participants by the oncologist or other referring provider. Optimal clinical care for patients with cancer includes consideration of participation in a clinical trial. However, the process of finding a clinical trial that is appropriate the patient can be cumbersome and time consuming. Material and Methods: The University of Kansas Cancer Center has developed a mobile application (app) which streamlines the clinical trial search process for physicians, patients, and caregivers by cohesively integrating all clinical trials currently recruiting in the center and making them easy to browse. Results: Key aspects of the app include simple filtering options, the ability to search for trials by name, easily accessible assistance, and in-app referral by phone or email. Initial feedback on the app has been very positive, with several suggestions already being implemented in future development. The app was designed to be used both by physicians to find trials, as well as patients in collaboration with their physicians. Conclusion: While long-term results will be crucial to understanding how the app can best serve our patient population, our initial results suggest that health system specific clinical trial apps can address a currently unmet need in the clinical trial recruitment process.

Qualitative study of Oncology Clinicians’ Perceptions of Barriers to Offering Clinical Trials to Underserved Populations

“…Programs such as patient navigation, access to a research nurse, 35 and other structured resources for increasing access to clinical trials information and decision-making resources (e.g., a mobile application listing all available clinical trials available at the patient's medical center) may facilitate standardized systems for offering clinical trials to all patients. 36 Our findings confirm that oncology clinicians practicing in a large academic medical center value cancer clinical trials. However, consistent with existing studies, 37,38 time constraints, heavy clinical loads, limited understanding of clinical trials, and lack of support staff posed obstacles to enrollment.…”

“…Programs such as patient navigation, access to a research nurse, 35 and other structured resources for increasing access to clinical trials information and decision-making resources (e.g., a mobile application listing all available clinical trials available at the patient’s medical center) may facilitate standardized systems for offering clinical trials to all patients. 36 …”