Increasing Awareness of NIH Clinical Research to Improve Participation in Trials

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 — Poster Session II
Noon – 2:00 p.m	Natcher Conference Center, Building 45	NCI	CLIN/TRANS-4

Authors

• M.P. Allen
• Ph.D.
• R. Padberg
• RN
• MA
• J.A. Bartholomew
• MBA
• MS
• M.C. Alvarez
• BA

Abstract

The challenge of recruiting research participants has serious implications for the success or failure of research and the reputation of NIH. Studies are frequently limited by under-recruitment. NIH data indicate that 85 percent of trials do not finish on time due to low patient participation, and 30 percent of trial sites fail to enroll a single patient. A major barrier to recruitment of participants is their lack of awareness about clinical trials. Yet, studies indicate that when given information about clinical research, survey respondents agreed that clinical trials had value and they would consider participation in a study. While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, the trans-NIH communications community collaborated to educate the public and health care professionals about the: A. importance of NIH-supported clinical research to public health, B. need for clinical trial participants, and C. benefits of clinical trial participation for the public’s health. This poster will describe the current results from formative research done on public and physician attitudes and an environmental scan of existing practices, including issues regarding the responsible employment of new media. It will feature the new collaborative, public website; partnerships with the American Medical Association, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ResearchMatch; and strategies for public engagement.

back to top