Most common barriers to trial participation include concerns with the trial setting, dislike of randomization, discomfort with the research process, complexity and stringency of the protocol, presence of a placebo or no-treatment group, potential side effects, being unaware of trial opportunities, the idea that trials are inappropriate for serious diseases, fear that trial involvement would negatively affect the relationship with their physician, and their physician’s attitude to a trial.
Authors, including Dr. Edward J. Mills, department of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of 12 qualitative and 21 quantitative studies assessing patient barriers to participation in trials. The article appears in the February 2006 issue of Lancet Oncology. Knowing why patients are reluctant to participate in trials should help physicians and clinical researchers address these concerns, authors said.
You will probably see more and more of CMS trying to make the payments the "same" it both the hospital outpatient and physician office settings. What do you think of this?
Posted by: Christian | March 02, 2006 at 10:45 AM