Abstract 1497P
Background
The reasons for low recruitment in clinical trials have been classified in three main sources of obstacles: physician, patient, system. A primary role is played by a low patient awareness, which often leads to a lack of confidence in science. This trend is also aggravated by widespread fake news that circulate uncontrollably on the web, jeopardising the doctor-patient relationship.
Methods
Starting from April 2019 an academic prospective observational study was initiated in 9 Italian centers. The study aimed at investigating the level of understanding of cancer patients towards clinical research and their expectations of inclusion in a trial and to evaluate the level of comprehensibility of informed consent and the extent of the fake news phenomenon. After signing the informed consent, patients were asked to complete a set of multiple choice and Likert-score questions.
Results
As of April 2021, 123 patients were enrolled, with a balanced sex distribution and a prevalence of age > 55-years (78%). Regarding the previous knowledge about clinical research, the average score was 3.3 (range 1-5). The vast majority of respondents (87%) had already started experimental drug and many of them constantly used internet (65.9%) and social networks (30.9%). More than half (56.1%) stated the interview with the physician was sufficient for a full understanding of informed consent. In case of doubt, very few (1.6%) relied on the web. The average score attributed to doctor-patient relationship was 8.82 (range 1-10). Respondents were quite confident in their ability to independently search for information, discriminate fake news and identify reliable sites (average score 3.20, 3.23, 3.03 respectively, range of 1-5). The scores related to the presumed ability to understand the results of a clinical study and to actively collaborate to produce research were high (4.67 and 4.36 over a range 1-5).
Conclusions
Preliminary data show a good level of patients' awareness and a fine ability to understand information, discerning real from fake news. Continuing and implementing the training initiatives of the population in the health sector will certainly contribute to further improvement, hopefully obtaining an even greater involvement of patients in the early phases of research.
Clinical trial identification
ELPIS Study - Prot. 32/19 approved by "Comitato Etico Messina" Ethical Committee.
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
AOU Papardo Messina.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.