Leadership knowledge and beliefs regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion at SWOG Cancer Research Network.

person Manuel Ricardo Espinoza Gutarra O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, Birmingham, AL info_outline Manuel Ricardo Espinoza Gutarra, Colmar Figueroa-Moseley, Lucy Gansauer, Gayathri Nagaraj, Jessica Dreger McDermott, Rick Bangs, Allison Caban-Holt, Patricia A. Robinson

Authors person Manuel Ricardo Espinoza Gutarra O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, Birmingham, AL info_outline Manuel Ricardo Espinoza Gutarra, Colmar Figueroa-Moseley, Lucy Gansauer, Gayathri Nagaraj, Jessica Dreger McDermott, Rick Bangs, Allison Caban-Holt, Patricia A. Robinson Organizations O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, Birmingham, AL, Southwest Oncology Group, Seattle, WA, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, SWOG Cancer Research Network, San Antonio, TX, Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Winston-Salem, NC, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL Abstract Disclosures Research Funding Other Foundation Hope Foundation Background: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is recognized as fundamental in the development of generalizable clinical trials. Both ASCO and the FDA have released statements regarding the importance of representativeness in clinical trials. A paucity of research exists regarding the knowledge and beliefs of the people who lead the development of trials within the NCTN. Methods: An electronic survey on knowledge and beliefs regarding DEI was administered to SWOG leadership from 12.14.2021 to 01.13.2022. Questions were divided into 4 categories including: general beliefs regarding DEI, SWOG’s current status regarding DEI efforts, perception of SWOG’s values and readiness in executing DEI. Twenty questions were asked and answers were recorded using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: A total of 53% (N=47/88) respondents completed the survey (Table 1). The majority of SWOG leadership strongly agree that diversity is an asset (68%) and that they have a role to champion DEI (72%). Less than a quarter of SWOG leadership strongly agree that there are sufficient opportunities for committee members to provide DEI input across the clinical trial life cycle (21%). When evaluating SWOGs current role in DEI efforts, 64% of respondents had a neutral or negative response for each of the 4 questions. When evaluating respondents’ perception of SWOG values regarding DEI, 64% of respondents had a positive or very positive response on average for each of the 6 questions. When evaluating SWOG’s readiness to promote DEI, 57% of respondents had a positive or very positive response for each question. Some of the barriers experienced include technological issues with construction and delivery of the survey to protected email addresses as well as lack of dedicated staff at SWOG to assist. Conclusions: This survey provides insight into SWOG leader’s beliefs and knowledge regarding DEI as well as their perception of SWOG’s current efforts and ability to promote DEI in clinical trials. While respondents tended to value DEI positively personally and through SWOG, their perception of SWOG’s role in promoting DEI was neutral or negative. Perception of SWOGs readiness to promote DEI was positive to a lesser degree. These findings emphasize the importance of capturing baseline beliefs to promote DEI efforts with clinical trial leadership. Question Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree Diverse identities are an asset for protocol development and implementation. 32 (68.09%) 9 (19.15%) 5 (10.64%) 1 (2.13%) 0 SWOG monitors representativeness frequently 5 (10.64%) 10 (21.28%) 19 (40.43%) 13 (27.66%) 0 SWOG values analyzing representativeness of enrollment at multiple time points of active studies. 7 (14.89%) 18 (38.30%) 20 (42.55%) 2 (4.26%) 0 SWOG is ready to analyze representativeness of enrollment at multiple time points of active studies. 9 (19.15%) 16 (34.04%) 15 (31.91%) 7 (14.89%) 0