Abstract
BackgroundClinical 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsMisperceptions of clinical trials may contribute substantially to the unwillingness to participate in them.
Highlights
Clinical trials are an essential source for advances in oncologic care, yet the enrollment rate is only 2-4%
The success of clinical trials depends upon adequate patient recruitment, but it has been reported as being as low as 2-4% of all oncologic patients [1]
We evaluated the level of knowledge about clinical trials and the attitudes towards them on the part of the oncologic population at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (TASMC), Israel
Summary
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. Clinical trials are the cornerstone of advances in clinical oncology and essential for the evaluation of novel therapies and treatment strategies. The success of clinical trials depends upon adequate patient recruitment, but it has been reported as being as low as 2-4% of all oncologic patients [1]. Unger and colleagues analyzed data from 1,262 cancer patients and found that only 12%-17% of. This extremely low rate of recruitment may be attributed to several factors. As many as 15% of the oncologic population refuses outright to participate [5]
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