Impact of a cancer clinical trials web site on discussions about trial participation: a cluster randomized trial.
Ann Oncol
; 23(7): 1912-8, 2012 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22258366
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cancer patients want access to reliable information about currently recruiting clinical trials. PATIENTS ANDMETHODS:
Oncologists and their patients were randomly assigned to access a consumer-friendly cancer clinical trials web site [Australian Cancer Trials (ACT), www.australiancancertrials.gov.au] or to usual care in a cluster randomized controlled trial. The primary outcome, measured from audio recordings of oncologist-patient consultations, was the proportion of patients with whom participation in any clinical trial was discussed. Analysis was by intention-to-treat accounting for clustering and stratification.RESULTS:
Thirty medical oncologists and 493 patients were recruited. Overall, 46% of consultations in the intervention group compared with 34% in the control group contained a discussion about clinical trials (P=0.08). The mean consultation length in both groups was 29 min (P=0.69). The proportion consenting to a trial was 10% in both groups (P=0.65). Patients' knowledge about randomized trials was lower in the intervention than the control group (mean score 3.0 versus 3.3, P=0.03) but decisional conflict scores were similar (mean score 42 versus 43, P=0.83).CONCLUSIONS:
Good communication between patients and physicians is essential. Within this context, a web site such as Australian Cancer Trials may be an important tool to encourage discussion about clinical trial participation.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Clinical Trials as Topic
/
Neoplasms
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
Ann Oncol
Journal subject:
NEOPLASIAS
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia