CTAP GOALS
1. Improve trainee communication about science with broader audiences.
2. Build relationships between trainees and patient advocates to improve cancer research.
3. Patients/patient advocates will have an opportunity to interact with trainees to guide their research and learn about research projects.
CONNECT WITH PATIENT ADVOCATES
Patient and caregiver advocates come from a variety of places. Below are a list of suggestions for ways to find advocates if you're a researcher interested in starting this kind of program - comment below to share your best practices.
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If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, there are plenty of training opportunities to learn more about how to become a research advocate!
CONNECT WITH RESEARCH SCIENTISTS
While the location of cancer research scientists (the lab) may be easier to find, it can be intimidating to start working with research scientists and clinical fellows. Below are some suggestions for ways to find scientists to work with.
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As a research scientist, there are resources for how to work with patient advocates as well!
Step 1
Find your people.
Advocates
A place to start is the cancer center/hospital. Ask your oncologist about opportunities for working with researchers. Check on the university website to see if there is a training program and e-mail the director.
Trainees
Ask your faculty members if they know of any advocates who may be interested in engaging. Reach out to the nearby hospital or cancer support group leader to see if they know of any advocates who may want to participate.
(Get buy in from your program director! See resources if you need help!)
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BOTH: Get on Twitter!
STep 2
Determine the forum.
Consider your community
Each community will have different methods/needs for developing a CTAP program. Use our Established Programs page to see other communities have had success with their trainee-advocate programs.
Define the Goals
Your goals will likely be dictated by who is involved and where your program is established. It can be intimidating to work with new groups for both researchers and advocates - we've highlighted some programs that help educate advocates and researchers about working together on our Resources page.
Step 3
Get buy in.
Get support
As great as these relationships are, the best way to build and maintain programs is through continual institutional support. Talk with the cancer center director or support group leader to get their buy in.
Define succession
Programs like these can have a lot of turnover from changing interests or graduations. Once you work on building a program, it's important to establish who will take over the program as turnover happens.