Improving regional access to clinical trials and implementation of COSA teletrials model by a networked approach: Regional Trials Network Victoria

Abstract

Aim: People with cancer living in regional Victoria are less likely to participate in a clinical trial than metropolitan patients. Funded by Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) and Victorian Cancer Agency in 2018, a Regional Trials Network (RTNV) was established as a partnership between six Regional Clinical Trials Units and Cancer Trials Australia (CTA), to improve access and recruitment to high quality clinical trials conducted at Victorian regional sites. Methods : Six regional sites joined the network with a catchment area of 141,000 km2 with a population of 1.4 million, and approximately 7200 new cancer diagnoses each year. The RTNV, in partnership with Cancer Trials Australia, aimed to: improve patient access and recruitment to high quality cancer clinical trials; increase the number of available cancer trials; increase participation rates; reduce duplication of effort; improve the efficiency of clinical trial implementation in regional Victoria. Implement COSA teletrial framework This was achieved by building capacity of regional clinical trial units, investing in the capability of staff through a networked approach. Results : In 2017, the CCV Clinical Trial Management Scheme (CTMS) recorded 1587 Victorians recruited to cancer clinical intervention trials. 428 resided in regional Victoria, but only 81 of these participated at a regional site. By 2020, the number of recruiting clinical trials increased by 74.5% and the number of regional patients recruited to CTMS studies increased by 106%. Driven by uptake of teletrials and registry trials total recruitment increased to 475 patients. Two additional sites have been added in 2021. RTNV leveraged ongoing funding to sustain core activity and was awarded $18.5 million from the Medical Research Future Fund to conduct health services research over the next 5 years. Conclusion(s): The RTNV is a successful implementation of a regionally-based clinical trials network improving access and participation of regional patients.