A Multicenter Investigation of Factors Influencing Women's Participation in Clinical Trials.
Publication/Presentation Date
3-2018
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that influence women's participation in clinical research.
METHODS: We administered a survey in outpatient and inpatient populations of Obstetrics and Gynecology facilities of six institutions located in four states. The survey included questions regarding any of the participant's past experiences in clinical research and the factors that would influence their participation in clinical research. Analyses included descriptive statistics and a Principal Component Analysis.
RESULTS: The analysis included 3,773 respondents; 2,477 (68.1%) were pregnant. The majority of participants were Caucasian (1,453, 40.2%), followed by Hispanic (933, 25.8%), African American/black (744, 20.6%), other minorities (270, 7.5%), and multiracial (212, 5.9%). Ten potential motivating factors and 10 potential barriers were assessed. The greatest motivating factor was "how well research is explained" (mean = 2.87) while "risk of unknown side effects" was the greatest barrier (mean = 3.07) for women's participation in clinical trials. Among six helpful resources assessed, "material in my own language" was scored as the highest (mean = 2.8) in facilitating women's decision to participate. For "risk to the fetus/future fertility" as a barrier, pregnant women's score (mean = 3.25) was significantly higher than nonpregnant women's score (mean = 2.37).
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the risk of unknown side effects discourages women in general, and the risk to the fetus/future fertility discourages pregnant women the most from participating in clinical trials. However, explaining a study well and providing written material in the patients' own language may increase their willingness to participate.
Volume
27
Issue
3
First Page
258
Last Page
270
ISSN
1931-843X
Published In/Presented At
Myles, S. Tocci, C. Falk, M. Lynch, S. Torres, C. Brown, B. Leopanto, F. B., Lake, M. Maser, C. A., Onativia, A. Obermeier, E. M., Macfarlan, J. Wapner, R. Smulian, J. C., Kurt, A. (2017). A Multicenter Investigation of Factors Influencing Women's Participation in Clinical Trials. Journal of women's health, 27(3), 258-270. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2017.6458
Disciplines
Emergency Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Obstetrics and Gynecology
PubMedID
29148879
Department(s)
Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty, Network Office of Research and Innovation, Research Scholars (Acknowledgements and Co-authored Publications)
Document Type
Article