Oncologic patients’ misconceptions may impede enrollment into clinical trials: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Clinical trials are an essential source for advances in oncologic care, yet the enrollment rate is only 2-4%. Patients' reluctance to participate is an important barrier. This study evaluates patients' level of understanding and attitudes towards clinical trials. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the oncology department and day care unit at the oncology division Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel. From January 2015 to September 2016. Two-hundred patients’ currently receiving active anti-cancer therapy at a large tertiary hospital completed an anonymous questionnaire comprised of demographic information, past experience in clinical research and basic knowledge on clinical trials. Results The majority of respondents did not meet the minimum knowledge level criteria. In those who replied they would decline to participate in a clinical trial, concern were related to potential assignment to the placebo arm, provision of informed consent and trust issues with their oncologist. Those with sufficient knowledge were significantly more interested in participating. Patients with past experience in clinical trials had a higher level of academic education, were less religious, had a better understanding of medical research and were inclined to participate in future research. Conclusions Misperceptions of clinical trials may contribute substantially to the unwillingness to participate in them.

Improving Inclusivity, Equity, and Diversity in Oncology Clinical Trials: A European Perspective

“…42,45,46 Possible reasons for this are numerous, including lower education and SES in rurality, 37 patient perception that healthcare is less accessible, 39 fear of associated costs, 41 and poor trial recruitment effort rurally. 47 To some degree, many of these likely translate to corresponding European populations.…”

Increasing patient participation in oncology clinical trials

“… 19 , 32 Selection of cancer trial sites has a profound impact not only on patient accessibility to cancer trials, but also on experience, knowledge, preference, and recommendations of treating physicians in local communities. 2 , 33 , 34 The FDA recently issued a draft guidance providing recommendations for enrolling a diverse patient population into clinical trials. 35…”

“…Studies have found that patients with cancers such as metastatic prostate and colorectal cancers need to drive more than an hour each way to get to a clinical trial site and the proportion of patients driving more than an hour each way is higher in the central United States than in the coastal regions 19,32 . Selection of cancer trial sites has a profound impact not only on patient accessibility to cancer trials, but also on experience, knowledge, preference, and recommendations of treating physicians in local communities 2,33,34 . The FDA recently issued a draft guidance providing recommendations for enrolling a diverse patient population into clinical trials 35…”

“…19,32 Selection of cancer trial sites has a profound impact not only on patient accessibility to cancer trials, but also on experience, knowledge, preference, and recommendations of treating physicians in local communities. 2,33,34 The FDA recently issued a draft guidance providing recommendations for enrolling a diverse patient population into clinical trials. 35 Willingness of travel long distances to trial sites depends on a number of factors such as availability of transportation and financial and sociocultural considerations and usually differs among different ethnic groups and geographic regions.…”