2013 International Cancer Education Conference Proceedings

0028. ¿ES UN ESTUDIO CLÍNICO PARA MÍ? PRIMING HISPANIC CANCER PATIENTS ABOUT CLINICAL TRIALS Gwendolyn Quinn 1 , Kristen Wells, Cathy Meade , Teresita Munoz-Antonia , Prado Antolino, Paul Jacobsen Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA Background: Participation in cancer clinical trials is low across all races and ethnicities, but particularly for Hispanic patients who prefer Spanish language materials. Less than 3% of all eligible patients participate in a cancer treatment clinical trial. Studies show English speaking patients often have misperceptions about clinical trials but know what they are. Formative research with our patients who prefer Spanish showed this population had limited knowledge of clinical trials, were uncertain about what they were, and confused as to why they would be asked to make a decision about treatment (“the doctor will tell me what to do.” Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this project was to prime Hispanic cancer patients who preferred Spanish, about clinical trials. A DVD was developed based on formative research identifying the unique questions and concerns of this population to help “prime” them for decision making if they should be offered a clinical trial at any point in their cancer care experience. The DVD is infused with cultural elements deemed important to the population including: family and shared decision making, religion, music, and fears. Methods/Approach: The DVD was tested in a RCT with 36 Hispanic cancer patients who preferred Spanish language educational information. Physicians called the study team when a non-English speaking Hispanic patient was scheduled for a visit and patient had not participated in a clinical trial. Patients were randomized to either the usual care/control arm (Spanish language pamphlets from NCI) or DVD condition in which they viewed the video on a portable DVD player. All patients were given a pre-test about clinical trial knowledge, intention, and decision conflict and a post-test 10 days later on the same. Participants received a $25 gift card. Results: Participants in the DVD condition had a 52% increase in knowledge compared to those in the usual care condition. Willingness to consider a clinical trial increased 12%, although there was a ceiling effect in that both groups already had high intentions to participate. This may be because knowledge and understanding of clinical trials was low in both groups (i.e., patients did not know what trial was but were willing to consider regardless of lack of knowledge). Decisional conflict remained the same in both groups, again with a floor effect in that both groups had low levels of conflict at the pre-test. Conclusions: A Spanish language DVD improves knowledge about clinical trials and may improve informed decision making should a patient be offered a trial in the future. This 8 minute DVD may be an effective educational tool in clinics that see non-English speaking patients. The goal of the DVD was not to improve clinical trial accrual but to improve decision making. Testing the efficacy of the DVD among patients who will actually be offered a trial is underway. ABSTRACT #067. THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE’S CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE: LATINOS, CLINICAL TRIALS AND THE ROLE OF THE BILINGUAL CANCER INFORMATION SPECIALIST067. THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE’S CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE: LATINOS, CLINICAL TRIALS AND THE ROLE OF THE BILINGUAL CANCER INFORMATION SPECIALIST Adrianna I. Gutierrez 1 , Aileen M. Ardizon , Gabriela C. Trejo , Holly R. Johnson ,2 National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service, Seattle, WA, USA, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center-CIS, Seattle, WA, USA Background: Clinical trials (CT’s) can demonstrate study results while providing cutting edge treatment and careful surveillance for patients. However, not all populations are being represented in CT’s. Hispanics/ Latinos currently make up 16.7% (12% Spanish speaking) of the US population[i], yet they account for only 5.6% of CT participants[ii]. Increasing CT participation among Hispanics/Latinos involves educating the public, breaking down barriers and dispelling myths about clinical trials[i] [ii]. Purpose/Objectives: The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) Cancer Information Service (CIS) is a federally funded cancer education program to provide information on cancer that is easy to understand [i]. Information Specialists are lay health educators trained on topics such as cancer research and CT’s. Bilingual Cancer Information Specialists are specially trained to provide culturally competent and relevant service in both Spanish and English. Bilingual Cancer Information Specialists are able to educate Spanish speakers about CT’s, answer their questions and break down any barriers to help increase participation [i]. Methods/Approach: Information Specialists are trained to assess their own cultural world view and attitudes as well as understand the beliefs of others. Educating Spanish speakers involves not just having linguistic ability, but also a cultural understanding. To accomplish this Specialists are extensively trained to understand the barriers that keep Hispanics/ Latinos from participating in CT’s such as; language, religious and cultural beliefs, myths and a history that has for some led to mistrust of government sponsored trials. With this background Information Specialists are S129 2013 International Cancer Education Conference • September 18 – 21, 2013