Cancer Clinical Trials Education Program: A Training Program to Reach Patients and the Public

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Abstract
Despite advances in cancer research, accrual of cancer patients or participants to clinical trials, as a treatment or prevention option, has remained low, hindering both research progress and patient access to potentially beneficial therapy. As one response, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the NCI-supported Cancer Information Service, partnered with the Oncology Nursing Society, the Association of Oncology Social Work, and Novartis Oncology, to implement the NCI’s Cancer Clinical Trials Education Program (CCTEP) for health professionals, using a “train-the-trainer” approach. From June 1997-June 1999, approximately 300 “charter” trainees completed the training program and presented programs for over 1,500 participants. Evaluation efforts are ongoing. The CCTEP was developed and is being implemented within a collaborative partnership model, insuring a broad reach to health professionals, patients and the public. The use of this partnership model for a far-reaching educational effort can be adapted by other program planners.