30 Jan Understanding motives behind participation in cancer clinical trials

By Andy Studna, Applied Clinical Trials

Clinical research is critical to discovering life-changing therapies for patients, especially in the cancer space. Knowing this, clinical trial participation in the cancer patient community is imperative. However, some patients, as well as their families, may have reservations about participating. A recent study published on JAMA Network Open aimed to uncover the motives behind cancer patients’ willingness, or lack thereof, to participate in clinical trials.

“These findings underscore the importance of patient education, transparent communication, and trust-building by health care professionals to address barriers and enhance participation in clinical trials, ultimately advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes,” the study authors wrote. “Clinical trials are vital for advancing cancer treatments and improving patient outcomes. Understanding the factors that influence participants’ decision-making is critical for enhancing trial recruitment.”

The study included insights from 978 patients with cancer and their relatives. It was conducted between April 2020 and April 2021 via face-to-face questionnaires administered by physicians across 6 tertiary hospital medical oncology departments in Turkey. Read more …