Survey reveals minority patient opinions about clinical trial participation
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Antidote Technologies — in partnership with a variety of organizations, including the American Kidney Fund — conducted a survey that revealed the motivations of clinical trial participants. The survey identified differences in attitudes between white and minority patients and highlighted potential barriers faced by non-white patients.
“Traditionally, people of color are underrepresented in clinical research, with minorities making up less than 10% of patients enrolled in clinical trials,” LaVarne A. Burton, MA, president and CEO of the AKF, told Healio Nephrology. “We need to ensure effective and acceptable treatments for everyone, especially minority patients — the very population that is often most affected by many chronic diseases, including kidney disease.”
According to a press release, Antidote Technologies surveyed 4,000 patients regarding their perspectives on trial participation. Notable findings included that Hispanic and non-white patients were more interested in talking with those responsible for the research than white patients and were more interested with hearing from others who already participated in research. In the press release, “a lack of trust” in the medical community could help explain this result. Furthermore, motivational factors for participation differed between groups, with non-white patients being least likely to report participating in a trial due to a doctor’s recommendation. Non-white patients were significantly more interested in-home visits than white patients, with Hispanic and non-white patients also rating financial factors — such as payment, reimbursement and receipt of free or reduced care — as significantly more important than did their white, non-Hispanic peers.
“I often hear from Antidote’s patient advocacy group partners about the need to even the scales in terms of research diversity,” Lindsey Wahlstrom-Edwards, head of partnerships at Antidote Technologies, said in the press release. “These survey findings suggest that catering study design, outreach approach and logistical support to specific populations will reduce barriers to participation and result in drugs that are effective for all those in need.”
Burton added that African Americans are three-times more likely and Hispanics are 1.6-times more likely to develop kidney failure, emphasizing the necessity to include more of these patients in research: “As a leader in addressing the needs of minority patients, the American Kidney Fund is excited to partner with Antidote to ensure the needs and concerns of communities of color surrounding research participation are well understood,” she said. “Diversity in clinical trials is a fundamental stepping-stone to closing racial and ethnic health disparities in care for patients affected by chronic kidney disease.” – by Melissa J. Webb
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Disclosures: Burton reports no relevant financial disclosures.