Black and Hispanic families show strong interest in enrolling their children in pediatric cancer clinical trials, but systemic and provider level barriers continue to limit participation, according to a study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research highlights missed opportunities to improve trial diversity, which could lead to better outcomes and more generalizable results for historically marginalized patient groups.
The underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic children in pediatric oncology clinical trials persists despite families expressing enthusiasm for research participation. A study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center, published in JAMA Network Open, examined both parent and clinician perspectives to identify key barriers. While families demonstrated a willingness to engage, systemic and provider focused factors emerged as significant obstacles.
Researchers conducted interviews and focus groups with parents of children who had received cancer treatment, as well as oncologists and research staff. The findings revealed that logistical challenges, such as transportation, language barriers, and financial constraints, disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Additionally, mistrust in medical institutions, though often cited as a primary barrier, was not the dominant concern among participants. Instead, structural issues within healthcare systems played a larger role.
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