A major challenge in the clinical trial space is ensuring a diverse group of patients enrolls in the program.
It's with that backdrop that researchers at UPMC have released a new report looking at the challenges in getting more women to participate in trials and the key role their providers can play in engaging with them. UPMC shared the report exclusively with Fierce Healthcare.
The report found most female patients share a significant bond of trust with their doctors and that they make for the most effective source of information and assurance about the potential benefits in participating in a clinical trial. Nicole Ansani, senior vice president for new development initiatives at UPMC Enterprises, told Fierce that trust puts them in a good position to talk through side effects and other concerns the patient may have.
"The single most unifying force for joining a clinical trial is their healthcare provider," she said.
Of those in the study who had participated in a clinical trial, the largest share (38%) learned about it from their clinician. And, of those who considered participating, 53% were informed about the trial by a healthcare professional.
Concerns about side effects and the procedures involved were the largest factor preventing female patients from signing on to clinical trials, so providers can assuage those fears. Twenty-two percent of those surveyed said they chose not to participate in a trial due to concerns over side effects.
Ansani added that it may be a tall order for every primary care doc to have the rundown on dozens if not hundreds of clinical trials, but this is where new technology innovations can come in. Eligibility requirements could be flagged within the workflow, for instance, prompting the provider to discuss participation with the patient.
She said that PCPs may not be equipped to discuss the side effects or risks associated with every clinical trial, but they could connect their patient with the research team to answer any questions.
In addition, the study found that patients rank their online portals second in trust behind their providers, which also opens the door to engage with eligible women through in-system notifications.
David Okonkwo, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh and executive vice president of UPMC Enterprises, told Fierce the study results underline that technology has not yet replaced how vital the relationship is between patient and provider.
"The idea of research can be very confronting, frankly, and especially when you start getting into randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled trials," he said. "Trust is critical, so the more effective the relationship is between the patient and the physician, the more likely the patient will gain access to but also be open to innovative treatment paradigms."
The study also found that getting the patient in the door for one trial where they have a positive experience also paves the way to engage with them in future research. Teams that make a welcoming and accessible experience for participants have an opportunity for long-term engagement that may bear fruit, according to the report.
Beyond concerns about side effects, patients who chose not to participate cited logistical challenges that influenced their decision. More than a quarter (29%) said the trial was not in a location where it was convenient for them to participate, while 25% said participation required too much travel time.
In addition, 17% said they did not have time to participate.