Physicians play a vital role in successfully recruiting underrepresented patients to cancer clinical trials, given that they can introduce the option of clinical trials. Patients might be more open to participating if physicians were willing to talk with them about clinical research and provide educational materials. Many physicians believed that trial referrals are complicated, and motivating and referring a patient consume time and resources from their practice. In fact, the burden of the clinical trial process (comprised of six logistical barriers) was the only statistically significant dimension associated with referral of patients to clinical trials. The long-term relationship with patients, ethical responsibility for what happens to patients as a consequence of a referral, and assurance that the patients will be treated as well are top concerns for a physician when making any referral.
Last date updated on November, 2024