Abstract
Racial, ethnic and economic disparities in cancer rates, outcomes, and clinical trials participation persist despite significant research. We examined barriers to clinical trials enrollment among Chinese patients, and developed a navigation program for Chinese gynecologic and breast cancer patients. Six bilingual navigators were trained and a navigator assigned to each patient for at least 2 months. All patients received a clinical trials booklet in Chinese and English. Data collection included pre-and post-navigation surveys, intake forms, and documentation of navigation encounters. Between July 2010 and May 31, 2011, we recruited 28 breast and gynecologic cancer patients. Patients averaged 317 min of navigation (range 63–1,852) during 8 sessions (range 3–28). They improved in 4 of 10 true–false knowledge statements about clinical trials. A patient navigation program for Chinese-speaking cancer patients is feasible. It results in high patient satisfaction rates and modest improvements in clinical trials knowledge and participation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Giuliano AR, Mokuau N, Hughes C, et al. Participation of minorities in cancer research: the influence of structural, cultural, and linguistic factors. Ann Epidemiol. 2000;10(8 Suppl):S22–34.
Steinberg ML, Fremont A, Khan DC, et al. Lay patient navigator program implementation for equal access to cancer care and clinical trials: essential steps and initial challenges. Cancer. 2006;107(11):2669–77.
Holmes DR, Major J, Lyonga DE, Alleyne RS, Clayton SM. Increasing minority patient participation in cancer clinical trials using oncology nurse navigation. Am J Surg. 2012;203(4):415–22.
Guadagnolo BA, Boylan A, Sargent M, et al. Patient navigation for American Indians undergoing cancer treatment: utilization and impact on care delivery in a regional healthcare center. Cancer. 2011;117(12):2754–61.
Ford JG, Howerton MW, Lai GY, et al. Barriers to recruiting underrepresented populations to cancer clinical trials: a systematic review. Cancer. 2008;112(2):228–42.
Nelson DE, Kreps GL, Hesse BW, et al. The health information national trends survey (HINTS): development, design, and dissemination. J Health commun. Sept–Oct 2004;9(5):443–60; discussion 481–444.
Davis SW, Nealon EO, Stone JC. Evaluation of the National Cancer Institute’s clinical trials booklet. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 1993;14:139–45.
Paterniti DA, Chen MS Jr, Chiechi C, et al. Asian Americans and cancer clinical trials: a mixed-methods approach to understanding awareness and experience. Cancer. 2005;104(12 Suppl):3015–24.
Tu SP, Chen H, Chen A, Lim J, May S, Drescher C. Clinical trials: understanding and perceptions of female Chinese-American cancer patients. Cancer. 2005;104(12 Suppl):2999–3005.
Acknowledgments
The research team is grateful to the following people: statistical assistance from Huey and Christine Yu; the long volunteering hours from the navigators: Lan Chen, Mei-Lin Cheng, Mei-Ling Li, Grace Yang, Lichen Wan, and Tammy Che; and to staff from Stanford: Maureen Sutton, Holly Gautier and Miriam Bischoff. This research was supported by a “2009 Developmental Cancer Research Award” from the Stanford Cancer Institute to Nelson Teng, and Stanford Hospital’s Guest Services.
Conflict of interest
The authors have no conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
E. Clair McClung and Sharon Watkins Davis contributed equally as first authors.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Clair McClung, E., Davis, S.W., Jeffrey, S.S. et al. Impact of Navigation on Knowledge and Attitudes About Clinical Trials Among Chinese Patients Undergoing Treatment for Breast and Gynecologic Cancers. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 976–979 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9901-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9901-x