How can we increase patient participation in clinical trials? Clinical Trials Ontario is collaborating with Dr. Jamie Brehaut, Senior Scientist of the Clinical Epidemiology Program at the Ottawa Hospital, and many other investigators from across Ontario to answer this question using a behavioural science approach. The collaboration was recently awarded $963,900 from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR).
The title of the project is “Using behavioural science to understand and improve participation in clinical trials: A theory-based research project”. The overall goal is to develop the knowledge and tools necessary to help patient groups, researchers, and trial sponsors optimize both the rate of participation and the experience of clinical trial recruitment.
“Clinical trials provide evidence to help improve health outcomes and our health care system, and they are not possible without participation by volunteers. This research will help us develop the knowledge and tools to enhance the recruitment experience and increase recruitment to clinical trials,” remarked Susan Marlin, President and CEO of CTO.
View a full description of the project here, and learn about the eight other grants awarded at the Ottawa Hospital here.