Open AccessAttitudes to randomized clinical trials amongst out‐patients attending a medical oncology clinic
Author(s) -
Ellis Peter M.,
Dowsett Sharon M.,
Butow Phyllis N.,
Tattersall Martin H.N.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1046/j.1369-6513.1999.00028.x
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , medicine , clinical trial , interquartile range , family medicine , alternative medicine , informed consent , pathology
Objective To assess the understanding of and attitudes towards randomized clinical trials amongst patients attending oncology out‐patient clinics. Design Cross‐sectional survey. Subjects Patients attending medical oncology out‐patient clinics at a Sydney teaching hospital. Main outcome Patients' willingness to participate in a randomized clinical trial. Results Sixty consecutive patients were surveyed. The mean age was 55.2 (SD 14) years. Eighty‐eight per cent of respondents thought that patients should be asked to participate in trials testing new treatments, however, only a third would consider participating in a randomized trial themselves. If a trial was endorsed by an independent cancer information service such as the NSW Cancer Council, 72% of respondents would be more likely to participate. Knowledge about randomized trials was not high. Respondents scored a median of 3 out of 7 (interquartile range, 2–4) correct answers to a series of questions about randomized trials. Patients willing to participate in a randomized trial were more likely to perceive the doctor favourably ( P = 0.05), less likely to perceive trials as experimental ( P = 0.05) and less likely to perceive trials as representing an inconvenience or loss of control ( P = 0.09). Conclusions Understanding amongst patients of the need for and mechanisms of randomized clinical trials is not good. This may contribute to the difficulties investigators face in seeking consent for clinical trials. Evaluation of new strategies to educate the public and patients about randomized trials is needed. Involvement of consumers in the design and conduct of clinical trials and evaluation of strategies to improve doctors' communication of clinical trial information is also required.