As pharmaceutical companies work to make research more fair and diverse, cultural competency – the ability to understand and work well with people from different cultural backgrounds – is becoming increasingly important.
For leaders in the pharma industry, training their teams in cultural competency helps create more inclusive trials, making it easier to recruit and retain diverse participants.
What is Cultural Competency Training?
Cultural competency means knowing how to communicate and connect with people from different cultural groups. In clinical trials, this is especially important because not understanding cultural differences can prevent people from minority and underrepresented communities from joining these studies. Research shows that when teams receive cultural competency training, minority enrollment rates in clinical trials go up.
The gap: In 2020, less than 10% of clinical trial participants in the U.S. were Black or Hispanic, despite these groups making up more than 30% of the population. Such disparities lead to data that may not represent how treatments work across diverse populations.
Research shows that teams receiving cultural competency training improve minority enrollment rates significantly.
Key Studies on Cultural Competency Training
Cultural Competency and Recruitment Training Program (CCRTP):
A pilot study tested a CCRTP for doctors and clinical research associates (CRAs). After the training, participants scored higher in cultural competency. More importantly, trial sites that used the CCRTP saw a 1.2% increase in minority patient enrollment within a year, adding about 300 more minority participants.
Community-Based Approaches During COVID-19:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers used culturally relevant approaches to improve recruitment among minority groups. By training clinical staff on the specific needs and concerns of these communities, they were able to build trust and boost participation.
Review of Inclusion Strategies:
A systematic review of 34 studies found that cultural competence training significantly improves healthcare professionals' knowledge (17 out of 19 studies), attitudes (21 out of 25 studies), and skills (14 out of 14 studies). This training also positively impacts patient satisfaction across multiple studies.
These studies show why it's crucial to include cultural competency in clinical trial processes. This approach not only improves recruitment but also makes sure that trial results represent diverse groups.
The Bigger Picture: Linking Cultural Competency to Clinicoequity
Clinicoequity—a framework ensuring that all populations have equal access to clinical trials and fair representation in medical research—is closely tied to cultural competency.
By the Numbers:
The World Health Organization estimates that 85% of clinical trials globally fail to meet their diversity recruitment goals, often due to a lack of cultural awareness.
According to Deloitte, achieving greater inclusivity in trials could add an estimated $2 billion annually to the global pharma market by reducing trial delays and improving regulatory compliance.
Cultural competency training helps pharma companies overcome these challenges, creating pathways for underrepresented groups to participate and ultimately benefit from new medical treatments.
Rubix Life Sciences’ Dedication to Cultural Competency
Rubix LS is a leader in adding cultural competency to its clinical trials. We have created detailed training programs for our research teams to help them understand cultural differences and reduce barriers for diverse communities. By focusing on cultural competency, Rubix LS aims to build trust with patients and increase overall participation in clinical trials.
1. Cultural Competency Training
By equipping research teams with the tools to understand and respect cultural differences, we’re breaking down barriers and building lasting trust.
Here’s how we make it happen:
Addressing cultural stigmas around medical research.
Training staff to navigate language nuances and communication styles.
Collaborating with community leaders to build authentic relationships.
The payoff? Sites with culturally competent teams consistently report better retention rates, especially among minority participants.
2. Flexible, Participant-Centered Trial Designs
Life is unpredictable, and clinical trials need to keep up. That’s why we design studies that adapt to participants’ needs, offering solutions like:
Mobile clinics to cut down on travel time.
Multilingual support for participants and their families.
Remote monitoring options for those balancing life’s demands.
This flexibility ensures participants can stay engaged no matter what life throws their way.
3. Building Trust Through Community Partnerships
Trust isn’t built overnight, it’s earned. That's why we work with community groups, faith leaders, and local partners to ensure open communication and make participants feel valued.
Leveraging Technology to Sustain Diversity
Technology is the unsung hero of inclusive clinical trials. We leverage advanced tools to connect researchers and participants seamlessly:
AI-Powered Insights: Predicting dropout risks and deploying solutions before issues arise.
Digital Health Tools: Offering real-time monitoring and feedback to keep participants engaged.
Tailored Communication: Sending culturally relevant messages that foster a sense of belonging.
In summary, cultural competency training is essential for making clinical trials more inclusive and fair. For pharma executives, investing in this training will not only strengthen recruitment efforts but also help achieve clinicoequity, making healthcare better for everyone.