This site is intended for UK healthcare professionals
Medscape UK Univadis Logo
Medscape UK Univadis Logo
News

Fear remains the key reason for non-participation in clinical trials

A new global review published in the journal Trialsindicates that people are reluctant to participate in clinical trials, and fear is a major factor driving the reluctance. Up to two-thirds of trials in the UK are currently finding it difficult to meet their recruitment targets.

Researchers at the University of York and Hull York Medical School in collaboration with Kings College London and the University of Manchester analysed results of >400 global studies to determine the factors influencing participation in health and medical studies.

Individuals not willing to be a part of clinical trials cited fear about testing new treatments and possible side effects as the most common reason for non-participation. Black and minority ethnic patients cited distrust in research and medical professionals as the primary reason for non-participation. The review also suggests an increase in concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality over the past decade.

On the contrary, potential drivers that motivated people to participate in research included trust in physicians and health care staff, a desire to help others and the possibility of improving their own health.

Dr Peter Knapp, the study's lead author, said: "There is a need for more research to identify effective recruitment strategies that draw on psychological theory and the facilitators and barriers identified in this overview. Feelings of fearfulness are clearly a key issue and so it would make sense to look at interventions focused on directly addressing patient concerns."


References


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE