(104) Provider Involvement in Research Conversations with Patients: Quality Improvement (QI)

Background: Clinical research is essential to advancing CF clinical care [1]. With new pursuits into therapies for those not eligible for CFTR modulators, research teams may need to modify previously successful processes in order to best meet the needs of those that have been ineligible for clinical trials in the past. These patients may have experienced a lack of recognition and engagement from research. It is documented that patients consistently rate their physicians as the most trusted source of information [2]. A relationship noted between investigators, patients, and providers – is conducive when engaging and recruiting minority populations [4]. The purpose of this project is to assess how often providers discuss research with patients in the clinical care setting.

Methods: As a larger QI project examining the culture of research at a large adult CF center, 10 CF providers (MD=7, NP=2, PhD=1) were asked a single question, “When do you talk to your patients about clinical research?” Respondents were given the opportunity to elaborate, allowing for quantitative and qualitative results.

Results: A response was received from 90% of those surveyed (n=9). While none of the providers responded with “Never”, only two (22%) answered, “At every clinic visit.” Other responses were “When the patient brings it up” (33%), “When I know there is a study for my patient” (44%), and “When I think there is a study for my patient” (55%). Multiple answers were allowed, as well as the opportunity to explain them. Four (44%) responded that they rely on “Someone else” to bring up research. Another four (44%) report being unfamiliar with research studies available and therefore do not discuss it every clinic visit.

Conclusions: As providers continue to deliver innovative care, it is imperative to identify barriers in provider-patient research discussions. The research teams and clinical care providers can work together to build trust and provide resources to address systemic barriers of participation in clinical research for underrepresented minority groups [4]. Following eQUIP-CR design, the research QI team will prioritize educating providers, encourage these conversations between pwCF and providers, and re-analyzing.

Acknowledgements:

References:
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2. Comis RL, Miller JD, Colaizzi DD, Kimmel LG. Physician-related factors involved in patient decisions to enroll onto cancer clinical trials [Internet]. Journal of oncology practice. American Society of Clinical Oncology; 2009 [cited 2022Apr8].
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4. Thakur N, Lovinsky-Desir S, Appell D, Bime C, Castro L, Celedón JC, et al. Enhancing recruitment and retention of minority populations for clinical research in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine: An official American Thoracic Society Research statement [Internet]. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. American Thoracic Society; 2021 [cited 2022Apr8].