Current Survey Respondents Research Articles

Deploying an AI-based online search tool to increase patients’ access to and understanding of solid tumor GI clinical trials.

456 Background: The number and complexity of clinical trials has been growing, making finding and accessing trials increasingly challenging. Additionally, the goal of representative trial populations remains elusive with sometimes devastating medical consequences. A key barrier to increasing recruitment efficiency is patients’ low awareness of clinical trials as an option. They rarely hear about trials from their oncologists, unless they are based at a research center, which introduces trial population biases by including only patients with good healthcare access. And even if patients decide to search for information on trials themselves, the information is difficult to understand. There are existing trial search tools, but they have multiple shortcomings: complex navigation, limited search functionality, clinical trial data is too complex for non-specialists to understand, and lack of clarity on next steps. Methods: Access to trials via a novel trial search tool (www.ancora.ai) which uses AI to restructure trial information was the main focus of this study. For increased GI cancer specificity, 6 key GI cancers were included into the AI model and information was restructured based on key eligibility differentiators identified (see data structure table). Research participants (xx GI oncology patients) were recruited with the support of patient associations (e.g. The Colon Club) leveraging social media. They were asked to complete a 20 minute survey evaluating both an established tool (clinicaltrials.gov) and the novel tool to find trials relevant for them. They had to assess different aspects of the tools’ usability on a 5-level Likert scale. Survey results were analyzed in MS Excel, using built-in statistical functions (mean, standard deviation, student’s t-test). Results: Please note the survey is ongoing and results will be updated. Current survey respondents had a base level of awareness of clinical trials (3.1±1.2), with patient associations and the internet as leading information sources. The novel tool seemed to make it easier to find trials (3.7±0.9 vs. 2.7±1.3), showed an improvement in ease of understanding information presented (3.8±1.1 vs. 2.6±1.3) and directionally provided more clarity on what next steps towards trial enrollment would be (4.2±0.8 vs. 3.7±1.4). Overall, this led to higher patient satisfaction (3.4±1.1 vs. 2.3±0.5). Conclusions: Novel patient-focused, AI-driven clinical trial support tools can unlock trial access for all patients. Democratizing trial information will not only increase trial accrual, but also patient satisfaction while reducing disparities. [Table: see text]

Immunomodulatory therapy for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: changing patterns of use, 1990-2000.

To identify changes over the past decade in physicians' attitudes regarding the use of immunomodulatory agents for the treatment of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we surveyed the membership of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and compared the responses to those from an identical survey performed in 1990. Surveys were mailed to 718 physicians in January, 2000. All surveys returned by mid-February were analyzed, and results compared to those obtained in the 1990 survey. Thirty-nine percent (278/718) of surveys were returned, compared to 27% (105/385) in 1990. Overall, 93% of the current survey's respondents agreed with the statement "immunomodulatory agents are effective in the treatment of children and adolescents with IBD." Compared to 1990, significant increases (p < 0.0001) were noted in the percentage of respondents who prescribe immunomodulatory agents to children with all forms of IBD. Indications for immunomodulation that showed significant increases (p < 0.001) since 1990 included treatment of perianal and non-perianal fistulae; growth failure; use as initial, primary therapy; and use as prophylaxis against postoperative recurrence. 6-Mercaptopurine and azathioprine continue to be the agents prescribed by the greatest percentage of respondents. More physicians are willing to use immunomodulatory agents in children younger than 5 yr, and duration of use is longer than in 1990. Currently, physicians seem to favor the use of immunomodulatory agents over colectomy for children with either intractable ulcerative or Crohn's colitis. Most respondents remain concerned about potential bone marrow and immune suppression, but concerns regarding malignancy, teratogenicity, and infertility have lessened. These survey findings document that pediatric gastroenterologists have widely accepted the use of immunomodulators in the treatment of children and adolescents with IBD.