OCOE Research

Supporting Research and Projects that Improve Health in Many Populations

Our projects are conducted by researchers from Fred Hutch as well as our Consortium partner institutions, University of Washington and Seattle Children's. We also partner with external research teams. Studies and projects are carried out across a number of populations and across the cancer contimuum — from prevention and screening to treatment. Cultural sensitivity is often a key factor in determing study methods.
 

Recruitment and Retention

Does your research team need technical assistance or support with study recruitment or engaging with a particular community?

Historically underserved populations are much less likely to engage in research studies or clinical trials for a number of reasons. Even now, individuals from underserved populations are less likely to know about clinical trials. Furthermore, numerous attitudinal and structural barriers have been noted as contributors to the low rate of participation in research studies by underrepresented groups. There is an overriding need to recruit people from diverse racial/ethnic groups into clinical trials to improve cancer prevention and treatment across all populations. 

The OCOE Recruitment and Retention Resource is implementing training programs and resources to increase awareness for researchers to authentically include underrepresented groups from catchment populations in research and clinical trials. The OCOE can assist Consortium researchers with study design and recruitment by using culturally tailored approaches to promote participation in Consortium studies and trials.

Please fill out our form to request support from the OCOE with community-based participatory research, or community-engaged research best practices in general, culturally and/or linguistically appropriate recruitment, community connection/engagement, technical assistance, or other support. 

Contact us for technical assistance or support with study recruitment or engaging with a particular community.

Recruitment and Retention Resources

Online Resources for Investigators and Staff
Online Resources for the Public and Patients

Publications Related to Improving Representation in Clinical Trials and Research

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Improving Representation in Clinical Trials and Research: Building Research Equity for Women and Underrepresented Groups. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 

Croyle RT, Sanchez JI, Doose M, Kennedy AE, Srinivasan S. Avoiding Pro Forma: A Health Equity-Conscious Approach to Cancer Control Research. Am J Prev Med. 2022 May;62(5):799-802. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.09.021. Epub 2021 Dec 23. PMID: 34953667.

Boulware LE, Corbie G, Aguilar-Gaxiola S, Wilkins CH, Ruiz R, Vitale A, Egede LE. Combating Structural Inequities - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Clinical and Translational Research. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jan 20;386(3):201-203. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp2112233. Epub 2022 Jan 15. PMID: 35029847. 

Habr D, Ferdinand R. Addressing racial/ethnic disparities in cancer clinical trials: Everyone has a role to play. Cancer. 2021 Sep 15;127(18):3282-3289. doi: 10.1002/cncr.33600. Epub 2021 Apr 27. PMID: 33904590. 

Ajewole VB, Akindele O, Abajue U, Ndulue O, Marshall JJ, Mossi YT. Cancer Disparities and Black American Representation in Clinical Trials Leading to the Approval of Oral Chemotherapy Drugs in the United States Between 2009 and 2019. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 May;17(5):e623-e628. doi: 10.1200/OP.20.01108. Erratum in: JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 Jul;17(7):459. PMID: 33974825; PMCID: PMC8120664. 

Winkfield KM, Levit LA, Tibbits M, Melnick E, Schenkel C, Kirkwood K, Green S, Pierce L. Addressing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion of Black Physicians in the Oncology Workforce. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 May;17(5):224-226. doi: 10.1200/OP.21.00079. PMID: 33974831. 

Unger JM. Representativeness in Premarketing vs Postmarketing US Food and Drug Administration Trials. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Apr 1;4(4):e217159. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.7159. PMID: 33877312. 

Unger JM, Vaidya R, Hershman DL, Minasian LM, Fleury ME. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Magnitude of Structural, Clinical, and Physician and Patient Barriers to Cancer Clinical Trial Participation. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019 Mar 1;111(3):245-255. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djy221. PMID: 30856272; PMCID: PMC6410951. 

Minasian LM, Unger JM. What Keeps Patients Out of Clinical Trials? JCO Oncol Pract. 2020 Mar;16(3):125-127. doi: 10.1200/JOP.19.00735. Epub 2020 Feb 19. PMID: 32074016.