Delphi Study Launches to Shape the Future of Clinical Trial Navigation

Background
Clinical trials help researchers find new ways to treat or prevent diseases. However, navigating clinical trials—finding the right trial, getting enrolled, and staying informed—can be complicated. To make this process smoother, we need to identify the best practices in “clinical trial navigation.” A Delphi study is one way researchers and community members can agree on what these best practices should be.

What is a Delphi Study?

A Delphi study is a step-by-step process researchers use to get input from people considered “experts.” In clinical trial navigation, these examples of these experts include:

• Patients and caregivers with firsthand experience enrolling in or searching for clinical trials (“lived experience”).

• Healthcare professionals who help patients find and join trials, such as nurses, physicians, or clinical research staff.

The goal is to reach a shared agreement—called “consensus”—on the key areas (or “domains”) that make clinical trial navigation effective.

How Does It Work?

1. Create a List of Navigation Areas
   Researchers begin by gathering a list of important topics or steps in clinical trial navigation (e.g., helping patients find trials, understanding eligibility, and ensuring follow-up).

2. Round 1: Individual Scoring
   Each expert receives a questionnaire (online or by email) listing those navigation areas. They rate how important each one is. They can also suggest any areas missing from the list.

3. Round 2: Group Feedback
   After Round 1, the research team combines everyone’s scores and shares a summary with the group. Experts then see:

   • Their own rating from Round 1

   • The group’s overall ratings. They can choose whether to keep or change their scores.

4. Further Rounds
   This process can happen two or three times, with each round allowing experts to update their ratings based on group feedback. No one is forced to change their opinion; the Delphi simply helps people consider different perspectives.

5. Group Discussion
   Sometimes, experts meet (in-person or online) to discuss the summarized results. This meeting helps finalize which navigation areas have the strongest support.

6. Final Report
   The researchers identify which areas have consensus as the “most important” for clinical trial navigation. These become the recommended best practices.

Why It Matters

• Improved Experience: By focusing on navigation areas rated as essential, we can make it simpler and more supportive for patients who need clinical trials.

• Inclusive Approach: Ensuring that patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and other experts all have a say leads to a more practical and patient-focused set of standards.

• Clear Guidance: The Delphi results serve as a benchmark for hospitals, cancer centers, and research teams that want to improve the clinical trial experience.

Key Takeaway
A Delphi study on clinical trial navigation ensures the people most affected by the process—patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers—agree on the best ways to help patients find and join clinical trials. By working together, we can streamline clinical trial access and make research more patient-centered.