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192 Building inclusive research: A training program for CRP students and staff on equitable participant engagement, recruitment, and retention

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2025

Jessica Cranfill
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine
Stephanie A. Freel
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
Christine E. Deeter
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine
Denise C. Snyder
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
Susanna Naggie
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
Nadine Barrett
Affiliation:
Wake Forest University
Jamie N. Roberts
Affiliation:
Duke University School of Medicine
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Abstract

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Objectives/Goals: Clinical trial success requires recruiting and retaining diverse participants. The ER&R Certificate Program trains clinical research professionals (CRPs) in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), addressing biases, and integrating regulatory knowledge with practical skills to foster inclusive research practices. Methods/Study Population: An interdisciplinary Steering Committee, supported by Duke CTSI and DOCR, developed and implemented an engagement, recruitment, and retention certificate program (ER&R) for CRPs. With expert-led instruction, including e-learning, group sessions, and hands-on activities, ER&R integrates EDI into participant engagement practices. Participants complete 7 core courses and at least 3 elective courses, reflecting their unique responsibilities. Program evaluation uses the Kirkpatrick model to assess participant learning, competency, and EDI integration into clinical research. Since launch, the program has expanded to include clinical research trainees from Durham Technical Community College. All elements of the program were designed to allow for sharing across academic medical institutions. Results/Anticipated Results: A total of 202 CRPs and trainees have participated since launch (2020), including 17 trainee participants from Durham Technical Community College (2022–2024). Post-program evaluations showed significant growth in recruitment and retention self-efficacy. An early evaluation of the first 2 cohorts (n = 59) included a self-assessment across defined competencies showing marked increases in comfort across all learning objectives, with notable gains in: Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Recruitment on a Shoestring Budget, Community-Engaged Research Initiatives, and Social Marketing. Participants valued the program’s focus on EDI and sought more practical strategies and peer collaboration. 50 additional institutions have engaged with our implementation consultations and program repository. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Barriers to equitable ER&R exist at the individual, study, and system levels. Addressing these requires more intentional engagement practices. The ER&R certificate program is an innovative model for integrating equity principles with practical and required knowledge and skills training for participant-facing research professionals.

Type
Education, Career Development and Workforce Development
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. The Association for Clinical and Translational Science