Enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research trial leadership and participation: insights from the initial stages of the Australian Fans in Training Project in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Abstract

Advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in health research trials is essential for improving health outcomes among priority populations. While evidence increasingly highlights the importance of cultural diversity in research trial leadership and participation, evidence-based strategies for enhancing this remain limited. This article outlines approaches to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement in health research trials, drawing on insights from community engagement at the Darwin (Northern Territory) trial site of the Australian Fans in Training (Aussie-FIT) project. Community engagement at this site aimed to (1) build mutually beneficial relationships with community leaders, specifically Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men; (2) codesign engagement standards to enhance the quality of engagement with these leaders and more broadly with local community members and stakeholders. A culturally diverse community advisory group was established, which codesigned engagement standards tailored to community needs and preferences. While the codesigned standards supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trial leadership and participation during the trial, the extensive consultation needed to build cross-cultural relationships and develop the standards meant they were finalised only after trial recruitment had ceased. As a result, researchers were unable to fully implement them in the early stages of the trial. This paper shared and critically discussed approaches used in the early stages of the Aussie-FIT trial to foster more equitable and inclusive practices in research trials. Implementation of these approaches and community-informed recommendations has the potential to enhance research quality, build trust with priority populations and address participation inequities, thus supporting effective trial design and improved health outcomes. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12623000437662).