Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025
04:37
Author Spotlight: Increasing TMS Accessibility Through Braiding Techniques for Diverse Hair Types
Published on: August 9, 2024
1.0K
Perceptions and Preferences Regarding Multiple Sclerosis Research Among Racial and Ethnic Groups
International Journal of MS Care
|September 6, 2021
Summary
Minority groups are underrepresented in multiple sclerosis (MS) trials. Addressing concerns about mistrust and benefits is key to increasing diverse participation in MS research.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Trials
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Minority underrepresentation in multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trials is a persistent issue.
- Perceptions and preferences regarding research participation may differ across racial and ethnic groups, contributing to this imbalance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the perceptions, concerns, and preferences of individuals with MS regarding clinical trial participation.
- To identify factors influencing research engagement among diverse racial and ethnic groups.
Main Methods:
- A web-based survey was developed in English and Spanish by the MS Minority Research Engagement Partnership Network.
- Invitations were distributed through network members and partner organizations to reach people with MS.
Main Results:
- African American and Hispanic participants expressed greater concern about being exploited by research teams compared to White participants.
- Hispanic participants were more worried about legal status risks associated with research.
- Both Hispanic and African American participants showed a stronger preference for studies benefiting their own racial/ethnic group.
Conclusions:
- While support for research is strong across groups, minority participants have specific concerns including mistrust, quality of care, employment, insurance, and legal status.
- Investigators must demonstrate how these concerns are addressed to recruit diverse populations.
- Communicating the research's advancement of science, literature, and benefits to underrepresented communities is crucial.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Surveys
16.2K
Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
16.2K
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
92.6K
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who...
92.6K