Summary
This paper describes the design and implementation of Faster Together, a massive open online course developed to improve research team capacity to recruit and retain minority populations in clinical trials. Using community-engaged principles, the authors created an evidence-based eight-module curriculum delivered via Coursera, which demonstrated significant improvements in participant knowledge scores and self-reported intentions to modify recruitment practices. The work addresses a documented gap in researcher training on diversity in clinical trials and offers a scalable educational model.
UK applicability
The principles of underrepresentation of minority populations in clinical research and the need for researcher training on inclusive recruitment are relevant to UK health research. However, direct applicability would depend on UK-specific recruitment infrastructure, research ethics frameworks, and the availability of equivalent online learning platforms within NHS or academic contexts.
Key measures
Pre- and post-test knowledge scores (mean number of correct answers); participant completion rates; self-reported professional knowledge improvement; likelihood of changing recruitment practices (percentage reporting 'very likely')
Outcomes reported
The study measured changes in knowledge, attitudes, and intentions regarding minority recruitment in clinical trials before and after completion of a MOOC. It reported enrolment numbers, completion rates, pre- and post-test assessment scores, and participant-reported likelihood of implementing practice changes.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.