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Date of Report: 11/01/2004
Source: Texas/Oklahoma AETC
The Texas/Oklahoma AETC (TX/OK AETC) partnered with two Ryan White CARE Act (RWCA) AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs), Parkland Health & Hospital System and the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center on a capacity building project to attract clinical trials, and thereby improve client access to medications in these rural settings.
TX/OK AETC assembled a multidisciplinary team to assess barriers relevant to establishing HIV clinical trials in nontraditional settings. Ethnography, surveys, and focus groups documented the social, cultural, health and clinical barriers in each community. Results were used to design unique training programs for staff and clients at each ASO, and for community outreach organizations to support the initiation of clinical trials.
In the two communities, focus groups were conducted in Spanish and English with 58 patients in nine focus groups, and 14 staff members in two additional focus groups. Though reactions to clinical trials were positive, unrealistic expectations, misconceptions, and barriers related to stigma, confidentiality, and trust indicated a need for staff and patient education.
From needs assessment results and ethnographic work, a three-day workshop for designated ASO staff was developed. It included:
 | Sharing focus group results and community interviews |
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| Level II training on clinical trials |
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| Level III preceptorships with ACTG staff |
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| Presentations by regional pharmaceutical representatives |
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Soon after the training, one ASO was offered its first clinical trial by a pharmaceutical company, while the other ASO enhanced its small base of pharmaceutical trials. This project demonstrates an interdisciplinary, culturally competent, and collaborative approach to establishing HIV clinical trials in ethnically diverse, limited-resource settings.
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