Pediatric oncology clinical trial participation where the geography is vast: Development of a clinical research system for tertiary and satellite centers in Ontario, Canada

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2018 Apr;65(4). doi: 10.1002/pbc.26901. Epub 2017 Dec 22.

Abstract

Opportunities for participation in clinical trials are a core component of the care of children with cancer. In Ontario, many pediatric patients live long distances from their cancer center. This paper describes the work that was done in order to allow patients participating in Children's Oncology Group trials to receive care, including research protocol related care, jointly between the tertiary pediatric cancer center and the closer-to-home satellite center. The system is a pragmatic risk-based model, supporting excellence in care while ensuring good conduct of the research in compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines, including ethics oversight.

Keywords: access; clinical trial; research system.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Delivery of Health Care / ethics*
  • Ethics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Models, Biological*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Ontario
  • Patient Participation*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Tertiary Care Centers*