Advancing Academic Cancer Clinical Trials Recruitment in Canada

Xu, Rebecca; Kato, Diana; Pond, Gregory R.; Sundquist, Stephen; Schoales, James; Lalani, Saher; Dancey, Janet

doi:10.3390/curroncol28040248

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 10 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…The Network's communications, operations processes and infrastructure enable member centres to work collaboratively, exchange knowledge and best practices, and develop research competencies for improved trial conduct. Collectively, Network member sites have successfully achieved incremental improvements in year-over-year accrual targets as well as implemented standard performance measures and supports for improving trial activation times and quality within member sites across Canada (Xu et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minding the gaps: assessing and addressing clinical research core competencies across a network of Canadian cancer centres

Sundquist,

Kato,

Chowdhury

et al. 2023

Front. Pharmacol.

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The Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network (3CTN, the Network), established in 2014 to address the decline in academic cancer clinical trials’ (ACCT) activity, has successfully achieved incremental year-over-year accrual targets as well as implemented recognized performance measures and supports for improving efficiency and quality of trial activities at member sites across Canada. As part of efforts to address ongoing challenges of staff recruitment, retention, and turnover in academic institutions that have been more recently exacerbated by the pandemic, the Network’s Performance Strategy Sub-Committee (PSC) oversaw surveys of site clinical research professionals intended to capture workforce development status and identify knowledge gaps using the Joint Task Force Core Competency Framework (JTF CCF) as the standard basis for assessment. Accountable to the 3CTN Management Committee, the PSC consists of clinical research operations experts across Canada responsible for overseeing implementation and monitoring progress of this initiative. Staff at 3CTN’s adult sites evaluated and reported trial personnel core competencies and gaps according to each domain/leveled competency statement of the framework. The most frequently noted competency gaps were in the domains of: Investigational Product Development and Regulation (28%); Scientific Concepts and Research Design (16%); and Study and Site Management (14%). Reported data was compiled and represented in the 3CTN Core Competency Report, developed as a web-based, interactive tool enabling members and stakeholders to filter data to enumerate and quantify workforce competency gaps at their site, within their node of affiliated sites, or across the national Network. Concurrently, an environmental scan and review of education resources was conducted and reviewed by the PSC. Embedded links to curated learning and development resources were incorporated into the report and associated with each domain/leveled competency statement to provide ready access to high-quality learning and development resources where needed. In the remaining years of its current strategic plan, 3CTN will continue to monitor, develop collaborative initiatives to target prioritized clinical research competency gaps and create opportunities for ongoing assessment and reporting by sites to capture changes in workforce core competencies over time.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minding the gaps: assessing and addressing clinical research core competencies across a network of Canadian cancer centres

Sundquist,

Kato,

Chowdhury

et al. 2023

Front. Pharmacol.

Self Cite

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Academic Cancer Clinical Trials in Canada and the Initial Response from Cancer Centers

Sundquist¹,

Kato²,

Xu³

et al. 2022

Current Oncology

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The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in temporary holds placed on new trial startups, patient recruitment and follow up visits for trials which contributed to major disruptions in cancer center trial unit operations. To assess the impact, the Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network (3CTN) members participated in regional meetings and a survey to understand the impact of the pandemic to academic cancer clinical trials (ACCT) activity, cancer trial unit operations and supports needed for post-pandemic recovery. Trial performance and recruitment data collected from 1 April 2020–31 March 2021 was compared to the same period in previous years. From 1 April–30 June 2020, patient recruitment decreased by 67.5% and trial site activations decreased by 81% compared to the same period in 2019. Recovery to reopening and recruitment of ACCTs began after three months, which was faster than initially projected. However, ongoing COVID-19 impacts on trial unit staffing and operations continue to contribute to delayed trial activations, lower patient recruitment and may further strain centers’ capacity for participation in academic-sponsored trials.

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Advancing Academic Cancer Clinical Trials Recruitment in Canada

Cited by 2 publications

References 10 publications

Minding the gaps: assessing and addressing clinical research core competencies across a network of Canadian cancer centres

Minding the gaps: assessing and addressing clinical research core competencies across a network of Canadian cancer centres

The Impact of COVID-19 on Academic Cancer Clinical Trials in Canada and the Initial Response from Cancer Centers

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