Prof. Sprague Martinez Awarded Grant to Improve Language Diversity in Clinical Trials
Even though many patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) can be helped through clinical trials, they are often excluded due to a lack of diverse research teams that are able to effectively engage with them. This gap in trial representation translates to a gap in treatment. Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) Prof. Linda Sprague Martinez will help close this gap by testing and assessing promising engagement strategies with a grant from the Boston University Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). The CTSI Integrated Pilot Grant Program has awarded funds to study CTSI sites including Boston Medical Center, where 31% of patients report a first language other than English.
Advancing language justice in clinical trials requires an investment in systems-level change to support the intentional inclusion of LEP patients. “The enrollment and retention of LEP patients in research requires diverse research teams who are able to communicate, engage, and build trust with limited-English speaking populations,” Sprague Martinez explains. “Solutions that lead to fully representing LEP patients in research may provide increased access to specialized novel treatments only available through trials, and thus serve to bridge racial and ethnic disparities in health.” These steps will create a collection of best practices for medical institutions to adopt.