Virtual Community Health Educator for Cancer

Overseen By Clinical Trials Referral Office

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: Recent cancer trial participation, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

750 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a virtual community health educator (vCHE) to determine if it can help more cancer patients and their caregivers learn about and join clinical trials. The vCHE serves as a digital guide, providing personalized support similar to a real-life community health worker, but in a more accessible and cost-effective manner. Participants will either use the vCHE or read online text to obtain information about available cancer trials. The trial seeks individuals diagnosed with cancer who speak English or Spanish, along with their caregivers involved in decision-making or care. As an unphased study, this trial presents a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to access vital information about cancer trials.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on using a virtual community health educator to increase clinical trial referrals.

What prior data suggests that this virtual community health educator is safe?

Research has shown that virtual community health educators (vCHEs) are being studied for their role in increasing clinical trial referrals, particularly for cancer patients. This study is labeled "Not Applicable" for phase, indicating it evaluates a method rather than testing a drug or device. Therefore, safety concerns like side effects or adverse reactions, common in drug trials, are not the main focus.

vCHEs function like real-life community health workers, providing information and support in a virtual setting. Current findings suggest they are well-received, with no reports of negative effects. Interacting with a vCHE resembles reading information online or talking to a virtual assistant, which is generally safe for users. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Virtual Community Health Educator (vCHE) because it aims to enhance patient access to cancer clinical trial information in a novel way. Unlike traditional methods that often involve in-person consultations or reliance on printed materials, vCHE uses a digital platform to deliver information efficiently and engagingly. This approach could significantly broaden the reach and speed at which patients learn about potential trial options, empowering them to make informed decisions faster. By leveraging technology, vCHE not only streamlines communication but also potentially increases participation in cancer trials, which is crucial for advancing cancer research and treatment options.

What evidence suggests that the virtual community health educator is effective for increasing clinical trial referrals for cancer?

Research has shown that virtual community health educators (vCHEs), a method tested in this trial, can increase the number of cancer patients and their caregivers joining clinical trials. These lifelike virtual guides offer personalized help and support, providing information that aligns with the user's cultural background and language. This approach makes it easier for diverse groups to understand and participate in clinical trials. By simulating real community health workers, vCHEs can reach individuals who might not have easy access to healthcare. Early results suggest that this method can enhance trial participation, leading to more inclusive research. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Janice L. Krieger, PhD

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for cancer patients and their caregivers. It aims to include a diverse population, particularly underrepresented groups. There are no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria provided, suggesting it may be open to a broad audience interested in learning about clinical trials.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a care partner for an adult with cancer and involved in their care decisions.

I am 18 or older, diagnosed with cancer, and understand English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria

Self-reported: people who are currently or have been in a cancer clinical trial within the last 3 years

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive information about available cancer clinical trials via the ALEX Research Portal and vCHE or online text

20-30 minutes

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for the number of referrals to cancer clinical trials

Up to 3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Virtual Community Health Educator

Trial Overview The study is testing whether a virtual community health educator (vCHE) can increase referrals to cancer clinical trials. The vCHE provides personalized guidance using culturally tailored information in English or Spanish and mimics real-life educators.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Arm I (ALEX Research Portal, vCHE) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants receive information about available cancer clinical trials via the ALEX Research Portal and vCHE over 20-30 minutes on study.

Group II: Arm II (online text) Active Control 2 Interventions

Participants receive information about available cancer clinical trials via online text on study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05655494

Study Details | A Multilevel Approach to Connecting ... Data collected at the beginning of a clinical study for all participants and for each arm or comparison group. These data include demographics, such as age, sex ...

2. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/301789/a-virtual-community-health-educator-for-increasing-clinical-trial-referrals-among-cancer-patients-and-their-caregivers/

A Virtual Community Health Educator for Increasing ... This clinical trial studies how well a virtual community health educator (vCHE) works in increasing clinical trial referrals for patients with ...

3. patlynk.com patlynk.com/trial/NCT07126496

Virtual Community Health Educator for Diverse Cancer ... This study is exploring how effective a virtual community health educator, or vCHE, can be in increasing the number of cancer patients and their caregivers ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7483356/

The impact of an online training program about cancer clinical ... A brief online course showed significant and sustained improvement in PCPs' general and local knowledge about cancer clinical trials.

5. cancer.jmir.org cancer.jmir.org/2025/1/e64977

Companionship and Sharing Create Social Connections of an ... The initial effectiveness of the online community intervention was the change in the score on the QOL from baseline to 4 weeks between active or ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07126496

Study Details | NCT07126496 | A Virtual Community Health ... This clinical trial studies how well a virtual community health educator (vCHE) works in increasing clinical trial referrals for patients with ...

7. clinconnect.io clinconnect.io/trials/NCT07126496

A Virtual Community Health Educator for Increasing This clinical trial studies how well a virtual community health educator (vCHE) works in increasing clinical trial referrals for patients with cancer and their

8. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-malignant-solid-neoplasms-4-2025-22cb2

Virtual Community Health Educator for Cancer This N/A medical study run by Mayo Clinic is evaluating whether Virtual Community Health Educator will have tolerable side effects & efficacy for patients ...

9. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03033888

Study Details | Community-Based Cervical Cancer ... A phase of research to describe clinical trials that focus on the safety of a drug. ... Community Health Workers (CHW) support has also rarely been ...

10. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12293947/

A Formative Evaluation of Interventions to Enhance Clinical ... Most MCC physicians specialized in medical oncology (90%) and 50% classified themselves as MCC physician educators who lead training and education for early- ...