Enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research trial leadership and participation: insights from the initial stages of the Australian Fans in Training Project in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Bryce Brickley, Jason Bonson, Joshua Danvers, John Ah Mat, Patrick Stephensen, Matthew David McDonald, Eleanor Quested, Andrew Maiorana, Toby Pavey, Lee Wharton, Evelyn Bennett, James A Smith

Journal: BMJ open 2025;15(7):e095720

PMID: 40681206

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in health research trials is essential for improving health outcomes among priority populations. While evidence increasingly highlights the importance of cultural diversity in research trial leadership and participation, evidence-based strategies for enhancing this remain limited. This article outlines approaches to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement in health research trials, drawing on insights from community engagement at the Darwin (Northern Territory) trial site of the Australian Fans in Training (Aussie-FIT) project.

METHODOLOGY

Community engagement at this site aimed to (1) build mutually beneficial relationships with community leaders, specifically Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men; (2) codesign engagement standards to enhance the quality of engagement with these leaders and more broadly with local community members and stakeholders. A culturally diverse community advisory group was established, which codesigned engagement standards tailored to community needs and preferences.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

While the codesigned standards supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trial leadership and participation during the trial, the extensive consultation needed to build cross-cultural relationships and develop the standards meant they were finalised only after trial recruitment had ceased. As a result, researchers were unable to fully implement them in the early stages of the trial.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper shared and critically discussed approaches used in the early stages of the Aussie-FIT trial to foster more equitable and inclusive practices in research trials. Implementation of these approaches and community-informed recommendations has the potential to enhance research quality, build trust with priority populations and address participation inequities, thus supporting effective trial design and improved health outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12623000437662).

Address: College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia [email protected].; Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.; Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.; Aussie-FIT Northern Territory Community Advisory Group, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.; School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095720

Link outs

Free resources

Full Text Sources:

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/clinicaltrials.html

Research Materials:

https://antibodies.cancer.gov/detail/CPTC-HLA-B-1

MeSH Terms: Humans, Leadership, Northern Territory, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Cultural Diversity, Community Participation, Community-Based Participatory Research, Clinical Trials as Topic, Male, Health Services, Indigenous, Australia