Vignette-based study offers insights into clinical trial participation

The Massachusetts CEAL Regional Team used a novel approach to look at willingness to participate in clinical trials for COVID-19. Researchers presented survey respondents with a scenario in which the respondent was hospitalized with the virus for a certain period and set of symptoms. Respondents were then asked, given the scenario, if they would like to participate in a study by taking a medicine that might help them. A potential side effect of the medicine was shared in the scenario. A series of different messages were then posed to explore participants’ willingness to try the treatment.

“Work is needed to achieve a healthcare system that provides confidence to historically disadvantaged groups that participation in research will yield benefits to their communities.” Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, August 2024

Survey respondents cited helping others as the most common reason for trying the medicine, followed by benefit to oneself as the second most common reason. In their summary, the authors suggest that sometimes individuals who cite benefits to themselves as their reason for participating in a trial may need to be reminded that there is no guaranteed outcome, and participants in clinical trials assume that risk.

Scientific research is the primary purpose of a clinical trial, and the authors emphasize the importance of an informed consent process that explicitly outlines risks and benefits so that the knowledge gained through clinical trials benefits everyone.

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