Clinical trials can be a ticket to better healthcare, so breaking the barriers that limit People of Color to participate is essential.

In this episode of the Straight Out of Health IT podcast, Jayne Morgan, executive director of Health and Community Education at Piedmont Healthcare Corporation, has a chat with Christopher Kunney about the current lack of minority participation in clinical trials and how to overcome the obstacles that directly impact it. Diverse populations have a mistrust towards the healthcare systems as a result of multiple care disparities and events like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Hence, how physicians approach these patients and build trust with them is incredibly important when offering research opportunities. Amongst the many effects of COVID-19, there was an increase in confidence in health providers and participation of communities of Color in clinical trials, but the challenge lies in maintaining the momentum now that the public health emergency has ended. Having established the gravity of the problem, Christopher and Jayne discuss ways to ensure equitable access to research in healthcare.

Trial diversity will ensure treatment applicability for a broader range of people instead of a population predominantly composed of white men or other majority groups. Jayne explains how clinical trials offer access to tomorrow’s medications and treatments. Being able to participate in a trial means having access to maximum therapy quality and attention, and in cancer trials, participation has led to increased remission rates. For her, representation is a crucial step toward rebuilding trust and moving beyond exploitation toward health equity.

One of the very first things to accomplish to encourage participation from People of Color is to involve physicians who have a cultural congruence and trusting relationship with the community in leadership roles within clinical trials, and it needs to happen at all levels of research to establish cultural understanding and trust when interacting with patients. Even though community involvement through leaders, churches, and civic organizations can have impactful results, direct dialogue with physicians will ultimately open the first gates to clinical trials for diverse people. This is why Jayne encourages listeners to find providers who communicate effectively and engage in conversations with the healthcare system to understand and learn the necessary information firsthand.

Tune in and learn more about the importance of diversity in research and how to open the gates of this space for everyone, regardless of their profile or background!

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