CASE STUDIES: ONCOLOGY
NCI Center for Cancer Research – Clinical Studies Support Center
MMG’s goal is to increase patient accrual to NCI intramural clinical trials and promote the trials to physicians, patients and the cancer community.
In response to patient and physician input regarding the difficulties of referring patients to NCI and navigating the enrollment process, the Division of Clinical Sciences established a toll-free referral line for patients and physicians. MMG runs a phone center that takes calls, conducts searches, and distributes information to patients. We promote the toll-free line and work closely with NCI investigators to conduct targeted study promotions for key trials.
Accomplishments on this project from 1998 to present include:
- Answering over 45,000 inquiries to the toll-free number and Web site
- Averaging 1,000 calls per month
- Staffing an information center and prescreening callers for priority trials
- Developing promotional and educational materials (CSSC booklet, patient information packet, posters, Web site)
- Implementing physician outreach, including a highly successful CME event
- Promoting CSSC at professional conferences, community events, and health fairs to reach primary care physicians, nurses, people with cancer and underserved populations
