Integrating Interpreters into Cancer Clinical Trial Processes to Improve Inclusion at Northern Health
Integrating Interpreters into Cancer Clinical Trial Processes to Improve Inclusion at Northern Health
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities are underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. As part of a NEMICS funded service improvement project at Northern Health, Dr Chyn Chua, project officer Sharni Norouzi and the Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU) have been working to address this.
A retrospective audit of oncology and haematology patients (2012-2022) found that Northern Health recorded the highest proportion of non-English-speaking patients among Victorian health services (24%), with approximately half of patients born overseas.
Interpreters are critical to inclusive clinical trials. Among the interpreters surveyed at Northern Health, most were experienced and had supported clinical trial consent discussions, but there were clear gaps in training and confidence around trial-specific information.
Key findings from surveyed interpreters included:
- one-third were familiar with Participant Information Sheet and Consent Forms (PCIFs),
- few reported feeling fully confident interpreting the PCIFs
- 56% of interpreters surveyed had received information about clinical trials through workshops, seminars, or written materials
- 94% supported improving interpreter training and support
Subsequently Northern Health’s CCTU, in collaboration with Transcultural and Language Services (TALS), co-designed a model with interpreters, CALD consumers, and clinical staff to integrate interpreter perspectives directly into clinical trial recruitment and communication processes. This has strengthened communication, confidence, and cultural safety for patients and TALS staff to improve access to make cancer clinical trials more inclusive and sustainable.
A poster presentation was made by the team at the Australian Clinical Trials Education Centre Conference in March 2026.
