A pragmatic plan to develop community health workers as researchers and strengthen Black clinical trial enrollment

TL;DR

This study explores how community health workers can help increase Black participation in clinical trials by building trust and involving them in research.

Contribution

The paper proposes a pragmatic plan to train community health workers as researchers to improve Black clinical trial enrollment.

Findings

Most participants expressed mistrust in research but recognized its potential benefits.

Community health workers can bridge research and communities by fostering trust and inclusion.

Participants suggested steps to involve CHWs as full research team members.

Abstract

Low enrollment of racial/ethnic minorities in clinical trials is a persistent problem. This study explores community health workers’ (CHWs) potential to increase research participation by Black people. We interviewed 12 CHWs and 12 Black community members, and after multidisciplinary analysis, held a CHW focus group to refine themes and make recommendations. Most participants mistrusted research, but many valued its potential for generativity. CHW involvement in research was seen as an opportunity to bring community relationships and context to all aspects of research, including recruitment. Participants proposed steps to build trustworthy research experiences and develop CHWs as full research team members.

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