Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2025
A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
Published on: September 20, 2019
Perceptions of Cardiovascular Healthcare Professionals Regarding Clinical Trials: A Survey-Based Study from the
Zainab Atiyah Dakhil1, Hasan Ali Farhan2, Mohammed Dheyaa Marsool3
1Ibn Al-Bitar Cardiac Centre, University of Baghdad/Al-Kindy College of Medicine, Iraq.
Insights
Cardiovascular professionals in Iraq desire clinical trial participation, but face barriers like lack of electronic health records and time. Establishing these records and providing training are key motivators for future research involvement.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Trials
- Global Health
Background:
- Low- and middle-income countries face a high burden of cardiovascular diseases but are underrepresented in clinical trials.
- This underrepresentation limits the generalizability of trial findings to these populations.
- Limited data exists on the perspectives of cardiologists in these regions regarding clinical trial conduct and participation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the views of cardiovascular healthcare professionals in Iraq concerning their participation in clinical trials.
- To identify barriers and motivators for conducting clinical trials in Iraq.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was distributed to cardiovascular professionals in Iraq identified through social media platforms.
- The survey included 30 items to gather data on experiences, perceptions, barriers, and motivators related to clinical trials.
- A total of 255 specialists, including interventional cardiologists and cardiology trainees, participated.
Main Results:
- Nearly 30% of respondents had prior involvement in clinical trials, primarily in data collection.
- 95.7% believed clinical trials should be conducted in Iraq, with 58.8% willing to participate.
- Key barriers identified were lack of electronic health records (52.2%) and time constraints (51.4%).
- Motivators included establishing electronic health records (86.27%) and providing education on clinical trials for the public and healthcare providers.
Conclusions:
- Implementing a robust clinical trial ecosystem in Iraq is achievable.
- Institutional, financial factors, and lack of dedicated research time contribute to the lag in cardiovascular clinical trials.
- Further qualitative research is recommended to understand infrastructure needs for enhanced trial participation.
Background:
Low-middle income countries harbor the highest burden of cardiovascular diseases globally, but there is an under-representation of these countries in cardiovascular clinical trials. This limits the generalizability of the trial results to these countries. There is a lack of data on insights of cardiologists in these countries regarding conducting and participating in clinical trials. We sought the views of cardiovascular healthcare professionals in Iraq on participation in clinical trials.
Method:
Cardiovascular professionals in Iraq were identified and contacted, via special platforms on social media specified for them, to answer a 30-item online survey.
Results:
We surveyed n = 255specialists (20% were women); interventional cardiologists constituted 44.7%, followed by cardiology trainees at 31%. Almost 30% reported having been involved in clinical trials, with data collection being the more frequently reported role (21.2%). Prior participation was not significantly associated with respondent gender, academic affiliation, or presence of institutional ethical committee. Of the total, 95.7% thought that clinical trials should be conducted in Iraq, with 58.8% reporting that they would participate if invited. The most common barriers to respondents' participation in trials were lack of electronic health records (52.2% of those surveyed) and time (51.4%), followed by the requirement of additional follow-up visits or investigations (34.1%). The most common motivators were establishing electronic health records (86.27%), education and training of the general population about clinical trials (84.7%), and dedicated training for healthcare providers about clinical trial basics (84.3%).
Conclusion:
Our work helps pave the path to implementing a robust clinical trial ecosystem in Iraq. Institutional and financial factors and a lack of dedicated research time are related to the cardiovascular clinical trial lag in Iraq. Future qualitative research can help in getting a deeper understanding of what is needed to create the right infrastructure.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:11Clinical Trials: Overview
01:16Clinical Trials
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
02:16Surveys
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...