ACRP Expands Focus on Patient-centered Accrual Practices Through Integration of the Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials (ENACCT)

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials (ENACCT) are pleased to announce the integration of key ENACCT products and services into the current ACRP professional development portfolio.

The integration is another step in ACRP's commitment to expand its educational programs and services to enhance the skills of clinical research professionals. Developed over the last 10 years by national experts in the field, the ENACCT programs and services focus on increasing cancer clinical trial participation, particularly within underserved communities. The educational programs center on strengthening communication, recruitment and retention practices implementing patient-centered policies and procedures that enhance recruitment and accrual; ensuring access to clinical trials as a measure of delivery of quality cancer care; and facilitating partnerships between institutions and community-based organizations to create greater community awareness. All of these key areas align with current and future goals of ACRP in its mission to ensure ethical and responsible clinical research — in all therapeutic areas.

ACRP and ENACCT's integration will see products and services offered by ENACCT transferred to ACRP, which will host these cancer-focused resources among its robust professional development catalog. ENACCT's integration will allow the formation of a new Clinical Trials Recruitment Interest Group that will allow members to actively engage in open dialogue about challenges and solutions pertinent to this topic.

ACRP will pursue additional resources for creating new and updated content to further serve the interests of the former ENACCT membership and current ACRP community regarding clinical trials accrual and cancer clinical research.

"This integration is a landmark consolidation for the clinical research community," says James Thomasell, ACRP Executive Director. "For decades, the support network for clinical researchers has been growing more segmented. This agreement combines two influential and impactful organizations into a single resource for clinical researchers. We are excited about the outstanding content we can now make available to our members and the potential for growth in this key specialty and competency area."

"We are thrilled to have found a new home for ENACCT's unique products and services that focus on achieving meaningful changes in clinical trial accrual," says Margo Michaels, ENACCT's Board President and former Executive Director. "We are very pleased that the legacy of our work, and our mission to increase clinical trial participation will be carried forward through ACRP's extensive network."