Medidata Blog
Public Perception of Clinical Research: Are You #ResearchReady?
Even with the increased attention to clinical research in the news, public perception of participating in clinical trials is troubling. Each year the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) surveys individuals on their perceptions of clinical trials. This year’s results show a significant decline in several key factors.
The survey gathered self-reported data from about 8,800 respondents who have never participated in a trial. From 2019 to 2020, the number of respondents who reported they understood the term clinical research declined from 90% to 64%, the number of respondents willing to participate in clinical research declined from 85% to 49%, and the number of respondents confident in their ability to find a clinical research opportunity declined from 66% to 59%.
The negative shifts in key areas have alarmed and surprised experts, especially since clinical research has been featured more frequently in news stories due to COVID-19. New medicines and vaccines ultimately depend on the participation of individuals in clinical research—these individuals give themselves and their time for all patients who will eventually take an approved medicine or vaccine.
But how do people choose to participate in clinical research? Medidata’s Kelly McKee, senior director, patient registries and recruitment, characterizes individuals who are open to considering clinical research—or #ResearchReady—with three key traits:
- Educated: Understand clinical research
- Engaged: Willing to participate in a clinical research if the option exists
- Empowered: Confident in the ability to find clinical research opportunities and make the informed decision to participate
Increasing the number of #ResearchReady individuals can reduce drug development timelines and cost, optimize resources at the site, sponsor, and CRO level. These benefits ultimately bring drugs and vaccines to market faster.
Join us in the conversation—how can the industry shift this paradigm? And are you #ResearchReady?