Improving Outcomes for First Nations Cancer Patients - FINAL Module

Boosting Participation Rates of First Nations People in Cancer Clinical Trials

First Nations Australians rarely participate in cancer clinical trials. A new e-learning module for researchers and clinicians is designed to change that.

The final module in a series of three was launched today by the Centre of Research Excellence in Targeted Approaches To Improve Cancer Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (TACTICS) at the University of Queensland and the Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG) at the University of Sydney

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s participation in clinical trials module was developed for a wide range of audiences to increase diversity, equity and inclusion of First Nations people in clinical trials and clinical research.

This module explores the barriers and enablers to participation in clinical trials by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and offers a range of strategies that clinicians and researchers can implement to ensure more inclusive clinical trial participation.

Aboriginal Health Researcher Professor Gail Garvey, an Aboriginal Research Fellow at the University of Queensland and project lead of the TACTICS Centre of Research Excellence, said that providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate in cancer trials is a crucial part of improving health equity.

“Cancer patients who participate in clinical trials typically experience better outcomes,” said Professor Garvey. “They report better survival and improved emotional wellbeing and are more likely to adhere to treatment recommendations."