A cross-sectional survey of clinical trials knowledge, participation, and perspectives in an underserved community of Washington, DC

Authors

Cleo Whiting, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW Fl. 2 South, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
Deega Omar, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW Fl. 2 South, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
Sarah Millan, Department of Dermatology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Andeulazia Murdock, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW Fl. 2 South, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
Sara Abdel Azim, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW Fl. 2 South, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
Adam Friedman, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW Fl. 2 South, Washington, DC, 20037, USA. ajfriedman@mfa.gwu.edu.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

5-24-2024

Journal

Archives of dermatological research

Volume

316

Issue

6

DOI

10.1007/s00403-024-02968-4

Keywords

Clinical trial; Dermatology; Diversity; Public knowledge; Recruitment; Survey

Abstract

The inclusion of participants from underrepresented and underserved groups is lagging in dermatology clinical trials. Through dissemination of a pilot survey at a community skin health fair, knowledge, participation, and perspectives of clinical trials were evaluated in an urban, medically underserved community in Washington, DC. Clinical trial-related questions were derived from the Health Information National Trends Survey 5 Cycle 4. This cross-sectional survey analyzed responses from 39/55 attendees (71% response rate). Most respondents were female (23/37 [62.2%]), between the ages of 25 and 54 (19/38, [50.0%]), and self-identified as non-white (35/39 [89.7%]) with a majority self-identifying as Black (16/31 [41%]). Most respondents self-reported knowing "little" to "nothing" about clinical trials (26/35 [74.3%]), and even more were unaware of the federal resource clinicaltrials.gov (30/37 [81.1%]). Few respondents discussed clinical trials as a treatment option with their healthcare provider (8/35 [22.9%]), yet having a discussion was significantly correlated with clinical trial participation (p = 0.0302). Self-reported level of knowledge was not significantly associated with participation in a clinical trial (p = 0.3035). Healthcare providers were the preferred first source of clinical trial information, followed by an internet search. Respondents rarely cited mistrust or skepticism as a barrier to participation (2/34 [5.9%]). Subjective positive healthcare experiences were significantly correlated to positive expectations with clinical trial participation (p = 0.0242). The findings of this study suggest the essential role healthcare providers, including dermatologists, play in clinical trial education and recruitment of underrepresented populations, and that patient mistrust may be present but is a rarely cited barrier to clinical trial participation.

APA Citation

Whiting, Cleo; Omar, Deega; Millan, Sarah; Murdock, Andeulazia; Abdel Azim, Sara; and Friedman, Adam, "A cross-sectional survey of clinical trials knowledge, participation, and perspectives in an underserved community of Washington, DC" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 4884.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/4884

Department

Dermatology