Promoting the recruitment of historically underrepresented children and families in clinical trials: Perspectives of pediatric clinic staff

Janvi D Nanavati; Daniel Mendoza Martinez; Grace W Ryan; Melissa Goulding; Sonia Radu; Michelle Spano; Ted Kremer; Kali Pereira; John Almeida; Christine Frisard; Sybil Crawford; Milagros C Rosal; Nancy Byatt; Stephenie C Lemon; Lori Pbert; Michelle Trivedi

doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2026.101607

Promoting the recruitment of historically underrepresented children and families in clinical trials: Perspectives of pediatric clinic staff

Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2026 Jan 27:49:101607. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2026.101607. eCollection 2026 Feb.

Authors

Janvi D Nanavati¹, Daniel Mendoza Martinez¹, Grace W Ryan², Melissa Goulding², Sonia Radu¹, Michelle Spano¹, Ted Kremer¹, Kali Pereira¹, John Almeida¹, Christine Frisard², Sybil Crawford³, Milagros C Rosal², Nancy Byatt^{2

4

5}, Stephenie C Lemon², Lori Pbert², Michelle Trivedi^{1

2

6}

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
² Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
³ Tan Chingfen College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 Lake Ave N, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
⁴ Lifeline for families Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
⁵ Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
⁶ Child Health Equity Center, Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Children and families from historically marginalized ethnic/racial backgrounds have low participation in clinical trials and pediatric practice staff perspectives on this topic are underexplored.

Methods: We conducted interviews (n = 20) with pediatric practice staff and used rapid template analysis to identify themes and sub-themes.

Results: We identified several primary themes related to strategies that both research staff and pediatric practice staff can use in order to support the recruitment of historically marginalized populations into research. For example, researchers can facilitate running reports within practices to identify potential trial participants with limited access to care and pediatric providers can offer research opportunities at well visits noting potential benefits of research and directly discuss mistrust in research.

Discussion: While the dynamics involved in the recruitment of historically marginalized children and families into trials are inherently complex, we identified several concrete strategies to support this work and increase diversity in pediatric clinical trials.

Keywords: Clinical trial recruitment; Health equity; Pediatrics; Qualitative research.

Grants and funding

K23 HL150341/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States