In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with clinical research professionals about Sanford Health’s successful decentralized clinical trial (DCT) program and how each of their roles helps to expand access to clinical trials for patients across the region.
Sanford Health is the largest rural health system in the US, providing care to patients across South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the upper peninsula of Michigan. It requires a creative and dynamic approach to reach patients across such a large geographic area, and decentralized clinical trials (DCT) have been one of their most important tools. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with clinical research professionals about Sanford Health’s successful DCT program and how each of their roles helps to expand access to clinical trials for patients across the region.
Guests:
Lora Black, RN, MPH, CCRP
Vice President of Research
Sanford Health
Sioux Falls, SD
Sophia Connelly
Clinical Research Trial Navigator
Sanford Health
Sioux Falls, SD
Kassandra Remmel, BES, CCRP
Clinical Research Manager
Sanford Health
Sioux Falls, SD
Eleanor (Ellie) Gibbons, CCRP
Clinical Research Operations Manager
Sanford Health
Sioux Falls, SD
“The thing to remember is that these are oncology patients, so they’re already dealing with a lot. They’re already sick. They may need a caregiver to drive them. They may have to arrange childcare. So the fact that we can make anything a little bit easier for them really matters to them.” —Ellie Gibbons, CCRP
“Starting small and going with a clinical trial that you are really comfortable with would be my recommendation.” —Kassandra Remmel, BES, CCRP
“I’ve had conversations with [clinical trial] sponsors about patients getting their scans done closer to home and they’ve been willing and open to discussing that.” —Sophia Connelly
This podcast was created in partnership with the Digital Trials & Research Alliance, with support from Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead Sciences, and Merck.
Resources
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
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