Abstract
Participation in a clinical trial significantly shortens waiting time associated with receiving specialist care. Furthermore, it may be the case that, through clinical trials, subjects can access medicines that are not typically available in Poland. The aim of this study was to determine the opinions of oncological patients about clinical trials. The research has been carried out during the years 2014-2016. A proprietary questionnaire consisting of 10 closed, single and multiple choice questions about awareness and perceptions of clinical trials, and 5 questions concerning demographic information was used. A group of 256 patients with cancer (54% women, 46% men), aged 21-77 years, was surveyed. Respondents were statistically more likely to decide to participate in a clinical trial as oncological patients than the healthy volunteers (Pearson's χ2 test p = 0.00006). The desire to qualify for clinical trials in no way depends on the knowledge of side effects (Pearson's χ2 test p = 0.16796). Our study found that the patients' awareness about clinical trials varied. However, a positive attitude towards research was visible. The main identified barriers to clinical trial participation were fear of possible side effects. Most patients regarded clinical trials as useful, and considered that they are conducted to introduce new treatment/new drug.
Highlights
The era of randomized cancer clinical trials began in 1958 with the first use of systemic therapy following a radical mastectomy in the treatment of breast cancer.[1]
Respondents were statistically more likely to decide to participate in a clinical trial as oncological patients than the healthy volunteers (Pearson’s χ2 test p = 0.00006)
In terms of knowledge and awareness of clinical trials, 69.9% of the participants had previously heard about clinical trials, but 64.8% had an interest in participating in cancer clinical trials, and only 53.9% had an interest in participating in clinical trials as healthy volunteers
Summary
The era of randomized cancer clinical trials began in 1958 with the first use of systemic therapy following a radical mastectomy in the treatment of breast cancer.[1]. In Poland, access to the national healthcare system is limited, and medications are expensive; with the offer of better medical care, free drugs and diagnostic procedures, patient recruitment in clinical trials is very high. This factor is important when treating patients in areas where the availability of effective drugs is limited at this stage of the development of medicine (i.e., oncology). Participation in a clinical trial, significantly shortens the average time associated with receiving specialist care. Participation in a clinical trial significantly shortens waiting time associated with receiving specialist care. It may be the case that, through clinical trials, subjects can access medicines that are not typically available in Poland
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