Faster Together: Enhancing Recruitment of Marginalized Communities in Clinical Trials

This course aims to teach people how to enhance the recruitment and retention of individuals from minoritized and marginalized communities in clinical trials. We begin by discussing the importance of diversity in clinical research, the lasting impact of past research abuses, and barriers and facilitators to research participation. Next, we explore community engagement principles, effective communication strategies, ways to increase community knowledge and awareness of clinical research, and outreach to community providers. Last, we discuss recruitment planning, person-centered consent, and retention. The course duration is listed as 8 weeks. However, you can work at your own pace and finish the course faster, if so desired. There is no cost to participate in the course; however, there is a fee for obtaining a completion certificate. Financial aid options are available. CME information: Vanderbilt University Medical Center designates this enduring material for a maximum of 8.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. For more information, see the first reading assignment in Module 1. Acknowledgments: We would like to acknowledge the following members from the Center for Knowledge Management at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for their expertise and insightful contribution in the development and implementation of the course: Sheila Kusnoor, PhD, Marcia Epelbaum, MA, Lori Harding, MLS, Elizabeth Frakes, MSIS, Helen Naylor, MS, Mallory Blasingame, MA, Taneya Koonce, MSLS, MPH, and Nunzia Bettinsoli Giuse, MD, MLS. We would also like to acknowledge Devan Ray, BA, from the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, for her role in project management and contributions to content development. Additionally, we acknowledge ArtMagic Labs, particularly Casey Culver, Victor Tyler, Jake Sucoff, John Martinez, and Robert Eva, for their outstanding work in filming and editing the videos for the course. The Vanderbilt Recruitment Innovation Center leads the efforts behind the Faster Together project. This work was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, under the award numbers U24TR001579 and U24TR004432

• Explore community engagement principles and effective communication
• Increase community knowledge and awareness of clinical research
• Plan recruitment and retention strategies in clinical trials

• Basic computer and internet skills
• Ability to read course instructions and complete activities in English