With more than 65,000 clinical studies currently recruiting, our industry is constantly working hard to enroll participants and meet study timelines. Unfortunately, public skepticism in clinical trials can get in the way of those efforts.
People enroll in studies for a variety of reasons, from contributing to scientific discovery to receiving a novel treatment or getting additional medical attention from a study team. Despite these potential benefits, public skepticism remains a barrier to participation.
Examples of Skeptical Mindsets Facing the Clinical Trial Industry
No need for more medications
These skeptics believe our society is already over-medicated and further research is unnecessary. They object to pumping money into what they view as an already overinflated medical environment that leads to the prescribing and consumption of unneeded medications.
Big pharma skeptics
As an industry sector, the pharmaceutical industry ranks low in polls. This mistrust leads to a lack of participation in health care opportunities and fuels the anti-vaccine movement. These skeptics believe the industry is motivated by a pursuit of profit. They are not comfortable placing their health and welfare in the pharmaceutical industry’s hands.
Untested treatments
These skeptics are unwilling to receive a study treatment because it is untested/unproven, may have risky side effects, and may worsen their health or make their disease worse.
A disturbing track record
Minority mistrust of the health care system and clinical trials is deeply rooted in medical misdeeds, including everything from the now infamous Tuskegee syphilis study to racial bias in delivering health care. This contributes to the well-documented lack of diversity in clinical trial participation.
Turning Skepticism in Clinical Trials Around
Tip 1: Education is key
Medical and clinical trial skepticism has different sources, including online misinformation, science denial, and scientific illiteracy. Unfortunately, these mindsets lead to disinterest in trials and also in ignoring the need for routine medical care and treatments.
But there is room for hope. Studies show that education helps: After surveying consumers and physicians regarding their perceptions about trials, cancer researcher Paul Sabbatini, MD concluded: “(J)ust doing a small amount of patient education about clinical trials, and having patients understand what their options are, make them more willing to consider enrolling in a study.”
Additionally, educational materials related to the study need to be written in plain language. This is so potential participants of most health literacy levels can understand the information to make an informed decision.
Tip 2: Engage the health care provider
Primary care physicians and nurses play a significant role in leading participants to studies: One study revealed that 77 percent of trial participants learned about the trial from their health care provider. Patients who hear about the trial from their trusted provider are more likely to participate.
Therefore, health care providers should be enlisted as allies in recruiting at every opportunity. At Imperial, we routinely create materials directed to physicians to enlist their help with recruitment. Time-tested tools such as referral letters, fact sheets, and HCP presentations are essential to clinical trial recruitment.
Tip 3: Improve diversity in sponsors and sites
As the workforce at sponsors and sites becomes more diverse and reflects the actual population, this can impact how studies are designed and improve overall health care for those who have been marginalized. This can build trust and having providers who directly relate in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, and socioeconomic background can improve the relatability when discussing clinical trials.
In the meantime, working with community and indication-specific support groups can foster trust, especially if the presenter and/or the materials provided reflect the targeted community.
Overcoming skepticism in clinical trials and objections to participation is a well-discussed topic. These additional links are recommended reading:
Sanofi on the health care trust gap
How we fail black patients in pain
Meet The Author: Heidi Pollock, Graphic Designer at Imperial Clinical Research Services
