Drivers and barriers to patient participation in RCTs

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Clinical Trials
• Patient Recruitment

Background:

• Patient recruitment into randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is crucial for evaluating new treatments.
• Understanding patient barriers and drivers for participation is key for effective trial design and communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patient motivations for accepting or declining randomized clinical trial participation.
• To assess patient perceptions of healthcare professionals' (HCPs) information-giving during trial discussions.

Main Methods:

• Cancer patients completed two questionnaires after trial discussions: one on participation decisions, the other on HCP communication.
• Response rate was 74% (358/486); 291 patients joined an RCT, 56 declined, and 11 were undecided.

Main Results:

• Trial acceptance was independent of disease stage, tumor type, sex, or age.
• High satisfaction with information and HCP communication was reported regardless of participation decision.
• Primary acceptance driver was altruism (40%); primary declining reason was trust in doctor (28%).

Conclusions:

• Trial design significantly influences patient participation, with randomization and treatment duration impacting decisions.
• Altruism and perceived HCP attitudes are powerful motivators for trial enrollment.
• Addressing patient concerns about randomization and treatment efficacy is essential for improving recruitment.