Engaging Community Oncology Stakeholders to Plan Multi-site Cancer Caregiving Research (CONNECT WF-2300CD)
Sarah S Asad, Beverly J Levine, Anna C Snavely, Kathryn E Weaver, Michael K Farris, Sarah N Price, Melyssa Foust, Kristi D Graves, Chad Dingman, Martha S Tingen, Jenni Danai, Jessica Sheedy, Bonny Morris, Chandylen NightingaleAbstract
PURPOSE
Engaging community stakeholders in clinical trials planning identifies participation barriers and facilitators to support future trial success. We assessed interest and perceived capacity of NCORP practices and engaged stakeholders to inform a future multi-site clinical trial involving caregivers.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of NCORP practices (WF-2300CD) assessed interest (somewhat or very likely to participate) and capacity (ie, criteria: ≥5 eligible dyad accruals/quarter, identification of necessary study implementers), and barriers and facilitators to participating in a future cancer caregiver-focused trial. Interest and capacity were estimated with 95% confidence intervals and logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors. Free-text responses were analyzed using content analysis.
RESULTS
Among136 initial responding practices, 126(92%) completed the survey (November 2023-April 2024), 56% saw ≥1,000 new patient cases annually, 13.5% served ≥30% racial and ethnic minority patients, and 13.5% were designated critical access hospitals. Overall, 84.9% (95% CI, 77.5%-90.1%) expressed interest in a caregiver-focused trial, but only 37.3% (95% CI, 28.9%-46.4%) met all capacity criteria; capacity was the sole predictor of interest (adjusted-OR 5.79; 95% CI 1.23 to 27.13). Most practices (88.9%) estimated ≥5 eligible caregiver-patient dyads/quarter but only 44.4% believed they could accrue that amount. Key participation barriers included staffing limitations, and challenges related to eligibility and recruitment. Practices emphasized clear guidance on dyad eligibility, recruitment materials, workflow training, and resource considerations to improve trial participation.
CONCLUSION
Early stakeholder engagement identified actionable barriers and produced practice-aligned strategies to enhance caregiver trial participation in community oncology settings. Targeted capacity building may improve participation for future caregiver-focused trials.