Presented on: October 14, 2020, 11:00 AM.-12 noon. ET.
Presented at: MRCT Center Leaning In Webinar Series
Discussion Topic: Participants in clinical research should reflect the population affected by the disease, or those intended to utilize the intervention. Early and active engagement from participants, patients, caregivers, and communities can influence and improve the design and execution of clinical research, including efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion. Further, appropriate and meaningful engagement offers opportunities for outreach to individuals and communities including those underrepresented or underserved in research, addresses priorities that are important for patients and potential participants, and to draws upon the perspectives of the very individuals for whom the research is intended.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Clinical Research.
Framework:
Developed on: August 2020
Developed by: MRCT Center Diversity Workgroup
We define the term “diversity” to be broad and inclusive. At minimum, it includes:
Demographic factors such as sex, race, ethnicity, age, location, genetics etc.
Non-demographic factors such as comorbidities, organ dysfunction, concurrent medications, environmental factors, compliance. Among non-demographic factors are those that are historically, socially, and culturally determined.
Social factors, and those within the term “social determinants of health,” including education level, economic status, family size, food insecurity, etc.
The MRCT Center Diversity Workgroup has developed a set of fundamental principles that help to frame considerations of diverse representation in clinical research. While we recognize that a case-based analysis will be required for each clinical research question, we also believe that these principles will help guide those analyses.
There are practical and operational barriers that prevent routine participation of underrepresented, underserved, and diverse populations in clinical research. These must be addressed to promote change. While many challenges exist, for each section, we provide a key summary and recommendations to address appropriate representation in clinical research. Link to Resource >
