Office of Healthcare Delivery and Collaborative Engagement

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Abstract

FY25 has focused on the implementation of three (3) key projects related to the priority areas: 1) Actionable Data: HDCE collaborated to customize Cancer InFocus (CIF), an online data visualization tool to support NCI's Center for Cancer Research intramural clinical research program. This tool enables CCR to assess clinical trial accrual reach, analyze patient enrollment demographics, and implement targeted outreach strategies for patients, providers, and institutions. The collaboration initially characterized cancer-related data for CCR's local catchment populations (DMV area) and will expand to include national datasets and cancer populations. Ongoing meetings with clinical teams will identify specific applications of this data resource to support CCR scientific studies and partnership engagement. 2) Partner Engagement: HDCE continues to focus on its institutional partner strategy with VA and Kaiser and is looking to expand to include NCI-designated Cancer Centers, community oncology practices, advocacy organizations, and local Comprehensive Cancer Coalition partners. Through listening sessions and partner outreach meetings, this strategy seeks to increase awareness of CCR clinical trials. Participation in OCD Branch Review meetings has also generated ideas regarding tailored outreach and engagement strategies with PIs including social media campaigns, podcast participation, newsletters, listservs, and conference presentations with advocacy partners. Additionally, information gleaned from ongoing clinical team meetings, advocacy groups seeking to collaborate with CCR, and study protocols will inform future assessments of referral practices and optimal recruitment strategies. 3) Evidence-Based Strategies: HDCE launched a pilot initiative to enhance patient understanding and engagement in CCR clinical trials. This effort included qualitative interviews with staff and patients, as well as a needs assessment to identify information and resource gaps within clinical teams. In partnership with a Working Group of staff and patient advocates, HDCE is developing a repository of information and resources for patients and their families prior to/during their first visit that will be accessible and enable provision of standardized, adaptable information across all clinical teams. The Lay Clinical Trial Summary initiative is a parallel project aimed at increasing trial awareness, outreach, and engagement by delivering clear, LLM-generated lay summaries of active CCR clinical trials to potential participants and clinical partners. The pilot is evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of these summaries among Principal Investigators and community partners to support informed decision-making and accessible trial participation.