Understanding of Clinical Trials Among Patients With Cancer and Their Relatives

Abstract

IMPORTANCE 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. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the attitudes of patients with cancer and their relatives toward clinical trial participation, identifying key barriers and motivators that affect their willingness to engage in such trials. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional survey study was conducted between April 2020 and April 2021. Face-to-face questionnaires were administered by physicians across 6 tertiary hospital medical oncology departments in Turkey. Adults with cancer and their relatives were recruited. Data were analyzed from April to December 2021. EXPOSURE Participants’ knowledge, perceptions, and motivations regarding clinical trial participation were assessed through a structured questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Participants’ demographic information, their willingness to participate in clinical trials, their perceptions about the clinical trial participation, and the facilitators and barriers to participation. RESULTS A total of 978 participants were surveyed, with a median (range) age of 52 (18-82) years; 485 (49.6%) were male and 479 (49.0%) female. Of these, 578 (59.1%) were patients with cancer and 382 (39.1%) family members. Prior clinical trial experience was reported by 174 participants (17.8%), and 428 (43.8%) expressed a willingness to participate in clinical trials. Participants well-informed about clinical trials showed higher willingness (50 of 87 [57.5%] very willing) compared with those with no knowledge (27 of 303 [8.9%] very willing) (χ2 = 275.095; P