Connecting Clinical Trials with Patients using Patient Navigation: A Scoping Review
Description
Background Patient navigation is a promising strategy to improve access to cancer care, but the evidence supporting its role in increasing access to cancer clinical trials has not been systematically evaluated. Objectives This scoping review aims to critically appraise, synthesize, and present the available evidence on the use of patient navigation to increase cancer clinical trial enrollment. Methods Nine databases were searched for English peer‐reviewed articles from inception through December 21, 2023. Two independent researchers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts and extracted data using standardized forms. Results/Implications Among the 23 included articles, 18 (78.3%) were observational studies, and 5 (21.7%) were randomized trials. Thirteen (56.5%) focused on equity, all addressing racial/ethnic groups. Seven (30.4%) articles used patient navigation for clinical trials for all cancer types; 14 (60.9%) focused on specific cancers, with 12 (85.7%) primarily addressing breast cancer. Among 21 studies describing navigator qualifications, 4 (17.4%) required professional training, while 17 (73.9%) used community representatives. The interventions used most frequently by navigators included education in 19 articles (82.6%) and care coordination in 17 articles (73.9%). Direct clinical trial referrals were unmentioned; logistical and financial assistance appeared in only 2 articles each (8.7%). In 7 (30.4%) studies, navigators directed patients to trials within and outside their center; 16 (69.6%) navigated patients only within their center. Future research should employ more rigorous designs to evaluate different patient navigation approaches and assess their impact on clinical trial enrollment across a wider range of cancers and patient populations.
Connecting Clinical Trials with Patients using Patient Navigation: A Scoping Review
Background Patient navigation is a promising strategy to improve access to cancer care, but the evidence supporting its role in increasing access to cancer clinical trials has not been systematically evaluated. Objectives This scoping review aims to critically appraise, synthesize, and present the available evidence on the use of patient navigation to increase cancer clinical trial enrollment. Methods Nine databases were searched for English peer‐reviewed articles from inception through December 21, 2023. Two independent researchers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts and extracted data using standardized forms. Results/Implications Among the 23 included articles, 18 (78.3%) were observational studies, and 5 (21.7%) were randomized trials. Thirteen (56.5%) focused on equity, all addressing racial/ethnic groups. Seven (30.4%) articles used patient navigation for clinical trials for all cancer types; 14 (60.9%) focused on specific cancers, with 12 (85.7%) primarily addressing breast cancer. Among 21 studies describing navigator qualifications, 4 (17.4%) required professional training, while 17 (73.9%) used community representatives. The interventions used most frequently by navigators included education in 19 articles (82.6%) and care coordination in 17 articles (73.9%). Direct clinical trial referrals were unmentioned; logistical and financial assistance appeared in only 2 articles each (8.7%). In 7 (30.4%) studies, navigators directed patients to trials within and outside their center; 16 (69.6%) navigated patients only within their center. Future research should employ more rigorous designs to evaluate different patient navigation approaches and assess their impact on clinical trial enrollment across a wider range of cancers and patient populations.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/we-spark-conference/2025/postersessions/25