RESUMO
Researchers, practitioners, and participants in cancer clinical trials must have a clear understanding of clinical trials if participation in them is to be solicited ethically and effectively. A valid and reliable measure of cancer clinical trial understanding did not exist prior to a 2005 study conducted for the Coalition of Cooperative Cancer Groups. This report outlines a measure derived from that study, discusses the rationale for its component items, examines its psychometric properties, and demonstrates the relationship of this measure to the enrollment decision. Data from national samples of cancer survivors and the general public demonstrate the measure's validity and reliability. Results are discussed as they relate to patient understanding of clinical trials, informed decision making, and health communication processes.
Assuntos
Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto/psicologia , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Neoplasias/psicologia , Participação do Paciente/psicologia , Sujeitos da Pesquisa/psicologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Tomada de Decisões , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Psicometria , Inquéritos e Questionários/normas , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The development of new cancer therapies requires additional, and more complex, clinical trials. But only approximately 3% to 5% of adult cancer patients participate in cancer clinical trials. This study seeks to identify and understand the attitudes of the public and cancer survivors toward health-related decisions and cancer clinical trials to identify the key factors that must be addressed to increase that percentage.