Diversity networks in organisations: are they really (net)working for equality?

In recent years, the use of diversity networks in organisations has increased tremendously. Diversity networks, also referred to as ‘employee resource groups’ or ‘affinity networks’, are initiated to inform, support and advance employees with similar social identities. In many organisations, diversity networks are part of a larger diversity management agenda and an increasingly popular practice to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Factors affecting patient recruitment to trials:qualitative research in general practice

BACKGROUND: Patient recruitment to clinical research is often challenging and, when inadequate, can result in delayed or underpowered studies. Recruitment problems were experienced during a study of women with heavy menstrual bleeding in general practice (the MIRA trial). Although efforts were made to reduce the burden of the study for those participating, patient recruitment was still an issue. AIM: To identify the barriers and facilitators associated with patient recruitment to clinical trials, as experienced by GPs. DESIGN & SETTING: A qualitative study was performed in Dutch general practice, using semi-structured interviews. METHOD: GPs participating in the MIRA trial were selected by purposive sampling and interviewed until saturation was reached. Three independent researchers performed data coding and thematic analysis. Consensus on the identified themes was reached by discussion among the researchers. RESULTS: Sixteen GPs were interviewed. The following factors were noted to influence recruitment: the incidence of the disease under study; awareness of the study; attitude towards scientific research; perceived burden for the patient; usual care by the GP; time investment; characteristics of the GP and their practice; and patient experience of research participation. CONCLUSION: The identified barriers and facilitators associated with patient recruitment highlight the areas in which future studies can be improved. Indeed, benefits could be gained by simply ensuring that study procedures are clear, by requiring limited (time) investment from the GP, and by investing in personal communication and reminders to keep the GP motivated and interested. Placing greater importance on scientific research during the GP training programme could also serve as a means to motivate future GPs to integrate scientific research in their clinical practice

GRPR versus PSMA:expression profiles during prostate cancer progression demonstrate the added value of GRPR-targeting theranostic approaches

Introduction: Central to targeted radionuclide imaging and therapy of prostate cancer (PCa) are prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting radiopharmaceuticals. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) targeting has been proposed as a potential additional approach for PCa theranostics. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent and at what stage of the disease GRPR-targeting applications can complement PSMA-targeting theranostics in the management of PCa. Methods: Binding of the GRPR- and PSMA-targeting radiopharmaceuticals [177Lu]Lu-NeoB and [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617, respectively, was evaluated and compared on tissue sections of 20 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 16 primary PCa and 17 progressive castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) fresh frozen tissue specimens. Hematoxylin-eosin and alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase stains were performed to identify regions of prostatic adenocarcinoma and potentially high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. For a subset of primary PCa samples, RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) was used to identify target mRNA expression in defined tumor regions. Results: The highest median [177Lu]Lu-NeoB binding was observed in primary PCa samples, while median and overall [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 binding was highest in CRPC samples. The highest [177Lu]Lu-NeoB binding was observed in 3/17 CRPC samples of which one sample showed no [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 binding. RNA ISH analyses showed a trend between mRNA expression and radiopharmaceutical binding, and confirmed the distinct GRPR and PSMA expression patterns in primary PCa observed with radiopharmaceutical binding. Conclusion: Our study emphasizes that GRPR-targeting approaches can contribute to improved PCa management and complement currently applied PSMA-targeting strategies in both early and late stage PCa.</p