Factors that influence a patient's decision to participate in a phase I cancer clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose/objectives: To explore factors that influence an individual's decision to participate in phase I cancer clinical trials.

Design: Exploratory, descriptive, and qualitative study.

Setting: Outpatient oncology clinic of a comprehensive cancer center in an urban setting.

Sample: 22 patients with cancer who had been asked at some point during their treatment to participate in a phase I cancer clinical trial were invited to participate in a focus group. Eight patients participated.

Methods: Two focus groups were conducted.

Main research variables: Factors that influenced patients' decisions to participate in a phase I cancer clinical trial.

Findings: Participants expressed that hope for a cure and trusting the oncologist's advice were the primary factors that influenced their decisions to participate in phase I research. The majority expressed surprise that anyone would participate in an experimental study for altruistic reasons.

Conclusions: Patients choose to hope for some personal benefit from their participation in phase I clinical trials even though they realized that is not the purpose or goal of the trial.

Implications for nursing practice: Nurses are in an ideal position to offer information to individuals who are deciding whether to participate in a phase I cancer clinical trial. However, most nurses are not seizing this opportunity. Patients are unable to describe nurses' impact on their decision to enter a phase I cancer clinical trial.