Physicians and caregivers: Ready and waiting for increased participation in clinical research

Abstract

Progressive development of pharmacotherapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as non-pharmacological treatments is critically dependent on the timely recruitment of appropriate subjects for clinical trials. Accordingly, the IMPACT survey sought to determine the level of awareness of clinical trials and the willingness to foster patient involvement/participation in research studies. IMPACT survey participants were recruited via the Internet in equal numbers from 5 European countries-France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. During April and May 2009, 250 caregivers and 500 physicians who agreed to participate in this market-based survey completed a 30-minute Web-based questionnaire that included items concerning awareness of clinical research and willingness to facilitate participation of AD patients in such research. Awareness of local clinical trials amongst both caregivers (24% overall; range by country, 14% to 34%) and physicians (19% overall; range by country, 13% to 30%) was found to be low in all countries surveyed. In contrast, the willingness of physicians to refer patients to, and caregivers to support their participation in, clinical trials was extremely high (98% and 81%, respectively). These results strongly indicate that physicians and caregivers are ready and waiting to become more involved in clinical research. Initiatives to increase awareness of clinical trials amongst caregivers and physicians and to conduct clinical trials within the geographical area of as many potential participants as possible should result in much more effective patient recruitment to AD clinical trials.

Obstacles And Opportunities In Alzheimer’s Clinical Trial Recruitment

“…A recent European study found that physicians had a low awareness of clinical research opportunities for their patients but expressed a high willingness to refer patients to such studies. 11 One small US study found that physicians were reluctant to refer patients because of concerns about perceived harm (such as risk of invasive procedures and stigma of diagnosis in the absence of effective treatment) and fear of losing patients to other providers caring for patients in the clinical research setting. 12 …”

“…To better serve participants and their study partners directly, study sites can be conveniently located, or, more effectively, study visits can take place in a participant’s home. 11,30 Such alterations in study design, such as in-home visits or altering the likelihood of receiving a drug versus placebo, may prove cost-effective by improving the recruitment and retention of participants with nonspousal study partners and help build trust to gain participation from underrepresented groups.…”

Clinical practice patterns of generalists and specialists in Alzheimer's disease: What are the differences, and what difference do they make?

“…For a more complete description of survey methodology, see the article by Jones et al in this issue (6).…”

Attitudes of small animal practitioners toward participation in veterinary clinical trials

“…Although several studies 4,13,15–17 have been performed to identify variables that influence physician enrollment of patients in clinical trials and recommendation of trial participation to their patients, this type of research has not yet been thoroughly performed in veterinary medicine. The objectives of the study reported here were to survey small animal practitioners to ascertain their attitudes toward enrollment of their patients in veterinary clinical trials, particularly the influence of experimental and other trial variables on their likelihood of recommending clinical trial participation to clients for their pets.…”