Accrualnet: A Novel Approach To Addressing Clinical Trial Accruals Through A Knowledge-Based, Community Of Practice Platform

e16621 Background: Clinicians need a good resource for accessing evidence-based strategies and practical information to support trial accrual. We present research, design and initial evaluation of a unique, web-enabled platform, AccrualNet.cancer.gov, for the development of a community of practice to address oncology accrual. Methods: NCI Office of Communications and Education conducted research with health association leaders, 5 comprehensive cancer centers, and >15 CCOP practices on accrual issues. In response to expressed need, a web-platform was conceptualized and built. 5 rounds of user testing were conducted to assure that AccrualNet is user-friendly, adaptable to local needs, populated with initial tools, and has the appropriate structure to link tools to the life cycle of a trial. AccrualNet was launched with journal articles (n=167), tools and other resources (n=127). Statistics were captured on journal sources and analyzed on use of resource by the oncology community. Results: AccrualNet has 5 levels: 3 macro-stages (pre-, active-, and post-study); 7 stages (developing a protocol, selecting a trial, preparing to open, enrolling patients, managing the trial, retaining participants, and lessons learned); multiple strategies per stage; multiple activities per strategy, and multiple tools and resources (T&R) for each activity. It is designed to foster a community of practice, allowing professionals in the field to add resources/tools and start/join conversations. The need for the platform is highlighted by literature review, showing a pronounced long tail effect for sources of T&R: 21.6% from 2 source journals (Contemp Clin Trials, 13.4%; J Clin Onc 8.2%) but 46.3% from journals with only 1. AccrualNet began with 294 unique tools and resources, and has since expanded to 486. As of 2/1/11, there were >45k page views. Conclusions: AccrualNet represents the first comprehensive-solution platform for the oncology clinical research community’s use to develop a community of practice and systematically capture knowledge for all stages of a clinical trial’s life. Using such a platform will reduce the knowing-doing gap with respect to increasing accruals to oncology clinical trials.