The attitudes of 1066 patients with cancer towards participation in randomised clinical trials

Jenkins, V., Farewell, Daniel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8871-1653, Batt, Linda, Maughan, Timothy, Branston, L., Langridge, C., Parlour, L., Farewell, V. and Fallowfield, L. 2010. The attitudes of 1066 patients with cancer towards participation in randomised clinical trials. British Journal of Cancer 103 (12) , pp. 1801-1807. 10.1038/sj.bjc.6606004

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Barriers to randomised clinical trial (RCT) recruitment include failure to identify eligible patients, reluctance of staff to approach them and attitudes of some health-care professionals and patients. As part of a larger UK prospective study examining the communication and involvement in RCTs of 22 multidisciplinary teams in Wales, we also assessed the attitudes of patients they treat towards trials. METHODS: Out of 1146 patients attending outpatient departments who were approached, 1146 (93%) completed the seven-item Attitudes to Randomised Trials Questionnaire (ARTQ), probing their general attitudes towards medical research and likely participation in a hypothetical two-arm RCT. RESULTS: Randomisation initially deterred many patients from endorsing a willingness to participate. However, if information about the trial logic, voluntary nature and rights to withdraw were provided, together with further treatment details, 83% (886 out of 1066) would potentially participate. Other variables associated with a positive inclination towards participation included previous trial experience (P<0.01), male gender (P<0.01) and younger age, with patients 70 years less likely to consider trial entry (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The majority of patients were receptive to RCT participation. Many of those initially disinclined because of randomisation would consider joining if given further details that form part of standard GCP consent guidelines. These data show the importance and need for clear communication and information to encourage RCT participation. Evidence-based training courses are available to assist with this.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	patients’ attitudes; RCTs
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:	0007-0920
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2022 10:39
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/25113

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