Determinants of participation in HIV clinical trials: the importance of patients' trust in their provider

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the factors that contribute to willingness to participate in HIV clinical trials and to determine the impact of a brief intervention on willingness to participate.

Methods: 115 consecutive outpatients receiving HIV primary care participated in this prospective study. Each patient completed a questionnaire about clinical trials and met with a research assistant who discussed the purpose of clinical trials. After the educational intervention, participants completed a second questionnaire and responses from the two surveys were compared.

Results: 115 patients were enrolled (56% had previously enrolled in a clinical trial; 50% of whom were currently enrolled in a trial); 92% would consider participating in a future clinical trial. Increased patient trust in the provider was associated with increased willingness to participate in a trial. After the intervention, 94% indicated that they would be willing to be contacted about a clinical trial for which they may be eligible and 85% preferred to be contacted by their primary physician.

Conclusions: Patients' trust in their provider may predict willingness to participate in clinical trial. Providing HIV-infected patients and their providers with information about HIV clinical trials at the site where they receive care may increase participation rates in HIV clinical trials.