Maryland's Special Populations Network

Abstract

prehensive assessment (of needs, strengths, and resources available) that laid the foundation for programmatic efforts in community-initiated cancer awareness and education, research, and training. The MSPN infrastructure was used to implement successful and innovative community-based cancer education interventions and technological solutions; conduct education and promotion of clinical trials, cancer health disparities research, and minority faculty cancer research career development; and leverage additional resources for sustainability. MSPN engaged in informed advocacy among decision-and policymakers at state and national levels, and its community-based clinical trials program was recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a Best Practice Award.The solutions to reduce and eliminate cancer health disparities are complex and require comprehensive and focused multidisciplinary cancer health disparities research, training, and education strategies implemented through robust community-academic partnerships.

Clinical Trial Awareness Among Racial/Ethnic Minorities in HINTS 2007: Sociodemographic, Attitudinal, and Knowledge Correlates

“…The Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials is exploring community level strategies to increase minority enrollment into phase III cancer treatment trials (Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials, 2009). Statewide collaborations have addressed infrastructure challenges that hinder full participation of minorities in clinical trials (Baquet et al, 2006). Additionally, the authors of this paper are evaluating an academic–community partnership model to increase African American enrollment in clinical trials.…”

Leadership, Service Reform, and Public-Service Networks: The Case of Cancer-Genetics Pilots in the English NHS

“…First, they reflected the role of integrated networks of health-care providers that emerged in response to the market pressures created by the advent of managed care, as a means of rationalizing services and offering cost-effectiveness through economies of scale (Shortell et al 1994). Second-and as Addicott et al (2007) point out, in tension with the first role-they also serve a function similar to that of the community clinical oncology programs and special populations networks funded by the National Cancer Institute, with their aim of fostering knowledge-sharing relationships between research institutions and community-based intervention, education and research projects (McKinney et al 1993;Baquet et al 2005).…”

A Model for Bidirectional Community-Academic Engagement (CAE): Overview of Partnered Research, Capacity Enhancement, Systems Transformation, and Public Trust in Research

“…The establishment of a statewide infrastructure with urban and rural presence and partnerships resulted from resources provided initially through the MSPN 9,11 specifically for cancer disparities, training and education (NCI no: 5U01CA86249). Later, the Maryland Tobacco Settlement Program (CRF) funds supported implementation of tobacco related diseases education and outreach.…”

“…Videoconferencing units were donated, maintained, and supported by the medical school in rural Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), community health centers, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and community hospitals. 8,11 …”

“…Partnerships provided the foundation for long term community-academic engagement. 9,11 This collaborative approach provided community partners’ ownership, decision-making on priority issues, and involvement in program and research planning, program monitoring, implementation and evaluation. Active community engagement in the partnered research and program development led to enhanced public trust in research, increased health and research literacy, improved AHC credibility, increased availability of community based studies and participation in clinical trials.…”