Clinical Trial Participants Left Hanging

[Guest guest]

That was an interesting finding. I wonder if it mainly relates to trials

regarding cancer.

I know that the studies I have been in have always shared detailed findings

and have always been very helpful in discussing them.

[Guest guest]

Reported April 26, 2004

Clinical Trial Participants Left Hanging

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- If you want the results of a clinical trial in which

you took part, you may have to ask for the results. A new study shows your

doctor probably won¹t voluntarily give them to you.

Results of the study show most oncologists and nurses do not share the

results of clinical trials with the participants, even though they believe

the patients want the results and routinely offering results would not have

a negative effect.

Nearly 80 percent of doctors who responded to the survey said trial results

should be offered to participants, and about 72 percent indicated that their

patients wanted to know the results of the trial. Despite this, 62 percent

said they offer trial results to participants less than one-fifth of the

time.

About 16 percent of responders believed an obligation to offer study results

to participants would make them less likely to enroll patients in studies.

This finding particularly concerned authors of the study.

The top three concerns responders reported about offering trial results to

patients were the potential negative effect on the patient, the difficulty

the patient may have interpreting the results, and the consumption of

resources, including time and money.

Researchers suggest further studies to evaluate the process of sharing study

results in an effort to develop a model that incorporates the views of all

parties involved in the research process. They conclude, ³This type of

research may ultimately improve communication between health care providers

and patients, improve the quality of care delivered, and increase patient

satisfaction with the care received as part of a clinical trial.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by

e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to:

http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2004;96:629-632

[Guest guest]

> That was an interesting finding. I wonder if it mainly relates to trials

> regarding cancer.

Why would doctors share results with lab rats? At least, in some ways

that's how patients may be viewed. I've read some pretty horrible stuff

about unethical recruitment of people for clinical trials.

Clinical trials can be very good, or they can be dangerous, depending on

the drug or treatment in question. There was an article posted awhile

back on the things you need to know when considering getting involved in

clicnical trials. Informed consent isn't just putting your name on a

consent form, it means they have to tell you ALL the risks and potential

benefits. There is tremendous potential benefit in clinical trials for

the participant and for society at large. Just be careful to know the

facts before you sign up.

-Barb