Does the Doctor–Patient Relationship Affect Enrollment in Clinical Research?

Abstract

Purpose Recruiting patients for clinical research is challenging, especially for underrepresented populations, and may be influenced by patients’ relationships with their physicians, care experiences, and engagement with care. This study sought to understand predictors of enrollment in a research study among socioeconomically diverse participants in studies of care models that promote continuity in the doctor–patient relationship. Method A study of the effects of vitamin D levels and supplementation on COVID-19 risk and outcomes was implemented from 2020 to 2022 within 2 studies of care models at the University of Chicago that promoted continuity of inpatient and outpatient care from the same physician. Hypothesized predictors of vitamin D study enrollment included patient-reported measures of the care experience (quality of relationship with the doctor and their staff, timely receipt of care), engagement in care (scheduling and completing outpatient visits), and engagement with these “parent” studies (follow-up survey completion). The authors used univariate tests and multivariable logistic regression to examine the association of these predictors with enrollment in the vitamin D study among participants in the parent study intervention arms. Results Among 773 eligible participants, 351/561 (63%) in the parent study intervention arms enrolled in the vitamin D study, versus 35/212 (17%) in the control arms. Among intervention arm participants, vitamin D study enrollment was not associated with reported quality of communication with or trust in the doctor, or helpful/respectful office staff, but was associated with report of receiving timely care, more completed clinic visits, and higher parent study follow-up survey completion. Conclusions Study enrollment may be high in care models with high levels of continuity in the doctor–patient relationship. Rates of clinic involvement, parent study engagement, and experience of receiving timely access to care may better predict enrollment than quality of the doctor–patient relationship.

Does the disclosure of medical insurance information affect patients’ willingness to adopt the diagnosis related groups system

“…Jinshu et al considered hospital disclosure of health care information as an important factor influencing patients’ willingness to receive follow-up services and cooperation from hospitals ( 42 ). In the doctor–patient relationship, a higher level of patient trust in the hospital can help doctors carry out better clinical treatment and increase patients’ sense of security, which is especially important for patients’ active cooperation and disease recovery ( 43 ). Patients must first trust the hospital in order to actively cooperate with it and cooperate with the relevant policies introduced by the hospital ( 32 ).…”

Preface

“…• Soo and colleagues 4 present data that suggest that robust doctor-patient relationships are associated with greater levels of enrollment in research studies, especially for participants from historically underrepresented populations. • Ari's team 5 presents adaptable models of hospital-based addiction care that improve the doctor-patient relationship for patients with opiate use disorder.…”

“…Soo and colleagues 4 present data that suggest that robust doctor–patient relationships are associated with greater levels of enrollment in research studies, especially for participants from historically underrepresented populations.…”