Racial and Ethnic Minority Patient Participation in N-of-1 Trials: Perspectives of Healthcare Providers and Patients

Abstract

Aim: Patients from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds in the USA have historically been under-represented in research trials. Understanding their viewpoints regarding participation in N-of-1 trials is imperative as we design and implement these studies. Materials & methods: We conducted six focus groups of racial and ethnic minority patients (n = 25) and providers (n = 9). We used content analysis to identify themes. Results: Our results noted the importance of considering family members in N-of-1 trial recruitment and participation, patients’ desire for education as a design feature, for ‘lifestyle’ changes as a treatment option and for use of nonevidence-based treatments in the design of future N-of-1 trials. Conclusion: Personalized trials have the potential to change the way we deliver primary care and improve disparities for minorities.

N-of-1 trials: The epitome of personalized medicine?

“…Patient perspectives on participation may be influenced by cultural factors, and understanding these may help improve health equity in n-of-1 trials. Some barriers to participation identified in qualitative studies among racial and ethnic minority patients include mistrust in healthcare systems, language barriers, and a reluctance to undergo blinded treatment [28].…”