Importance of Specific Clinical Trial Enrollment Strategies for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVES: This descriptive study explores Native Hawaiian (NH), Pacific Islander (PI), Asian Filipino, and White patient views of specific clinical trial enrollment strategies.

METHODS: In-person semi-structured interviews were conducted in English for a convenience sample of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who were hospitalized in a large medical center in Hawaii (n=54). Interviews asked questions related to access, community engagement, and reducing trial burden.

RESULTS: Overall, 12% of respondents were aged 18 to 39; 58% were aged 40 to 64; 30% were aged 65 and older; and 39% were female. The most important factor was support from local health care providers [81% of NH, 100% of PI, Asian Filipino, and White patients]. Location was the second most important factor [94% of NH; 80% of PI; 100% of Asian Filipino; 63% of White patients]. Language assistance was important to 19% of NH; 60% of PI; 27% of Asian Filipino; 13% of White patients, while access to clinical trial sites for people with disabilities was important to 56% of NH; 93% of PI; 67% of Asian Filipino; 50% of White patients. Having a telehealth option was important to 88% of NH; 72% of PI; 72% of Asian Filipino; 75% of White patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to increase diversity for NH, PI, and Asian Filipino patients should include local provider engagement and efforts to decentralize study site locations, such as by including telehealth options, as a majority of respondents from all populations expressed an interest in telehealth. Efforts for PI and Asian Filipinos should also include language access and disability support.