KDHRC evaluates the PALS 2.0 Training

Nicole Wanty, KDHRC’s senior research manager, attended the Patient Advocates for Lupus Studies (PALS) 2.0 training in Palm Springs, CA from March 20-22, 2024. The PALS program is a peer-to-peer program to increase diversity and participation in lupus clinical trials.  Developed by Lupus Therapeutics — the clinical research affiliate of the Lupus Research Alliance — PALS trains people living with lupus with clinical research experience to be peer educators for other individuals who have not previously participated in clinical research. The goal of the PALS program is to increase clinical trial awareness, knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and enrollment to ultimately increase diverse representation in lupus clinical trials.

KDHRC manages the evaluation of the PALs 2.0 training. In PALS 2.0, a new cohort of 15 PALs completed a pretest survey, participated in online training, and then attended the two-day, in-person training. During the training, the new cohort of PALs participated in sessions led by rheumatology experts and PALs from the first cohort. Immediately following the training, the new cohort of PALs completed an online posttest survey. KDHRC is currently analyzing the evaluation data and preparing a report for Lupus Therapeutics.

For more information about the PALS program, check out this article about the PALS program pilot implementation and feasibility evaluation:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37881151/