Intention, needs, and expectations of cancer patients participating in clinical trials

[[abstract]]BACKGROUND: Clinical trials provide information for developing new treatment strategies, enhancing cancer knowledge, and improving trial effectiveness. However, factors related to patients' participation in clinical trials have not been explored in Taiwan. OBJECTIVES: This study explored cancer patients' willingness to participate in clinical trials and motivational factors, barriers, needs, expectations, and other factors influencing their decision making. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, information was collected using structured questionnaires with cancer patients from an academic medical center. RESULTS: Among 184 cancer patients sampled, most (87.5%) were willing to participate in a clinical trial. Their attitude toward participating in clinical trials was positive (average motivational score = 59.09; highest scoring item was "chance of cure"). Participants had a slight barrier level for participating in clinical trials (average barrier score = 21.51; highest scoring item was "concern over adverse effects of drugs used in clinical trials"). They had strong needs for clinical trial participation (average need factors score = 59.24; highest scoring need item was "supply of clinical trial-related information by medical personnel, including study purpose, adverse effects, effectiveness, and notices"). Participants had expectations of clinical trial participation (average expectations score = 66.58; highest scoring item was "nonrecurrence of tumor"). Factors predicting participation in clinical trials included medical issues and subjective viewpoint. CONCLUSIONS: These study results can help clinical researchers understand cancer patients' willingness to participate in clinical trials and other influencing factors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clinical research nurses can use this information in discussions with cancer patients and important stakeholders to help eligible patients better understand clinical trials to make informed decisions about participation