Patients' Attitudes and Preferences About Participation and Recruitment Strategies in Clinical Trials

OBJECTIVE: To assess attitudes of patients about participation in clinical trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This Is a self-report survey of 400 patients who underwent general medical evaluations between September and November 2006 at a tertiary care academic medical center In Rochester, MN. We measured knowledge of access to clinical trials, attitudes toward participation, recruitment preferences, and beliefs about research Integrity. RESULTS: Of 485 consecutive patients, 400 (82%) completed the survey. Previous participation In clinical trials was reported by 312 patients (28%). Most were unaware of online Information about clinical trials (330 [82%]), were satisfied with their current knowledge (233 [58%]), expected their treating physician to Inform them about current trials (304 [76%]), and showed equal Interest In participating In conventional or complementary Intervention trials (174 [44%]). Of the 400 respondents, 321 (80%) found It appropriate to be contacted by mail and 253 (63%) by telephone regarding study participation. Most patients (364 [91%]) wanted to be Informed about research findings or else would not participate In future clinical trials (272 [68%]). The most frequently expected compensation was free parking (234 [58%]). Most thought that their safety (373 [93%]) and privacy (376 [94%]) would be guarded. CONCLUSION: Patients are Interested In participating In clinical trials but commonly lack adequate Information. If patients received more Information (through their treating physicians), enrollment might improve. This single-site study has limited generalizability. Future studies Involving a diverse group of patients from a broader geographic distribution will help provide more definitive results.