Breast Cancer Patients' Preferences for Clinical Trial Matching Systems
Author Information
Author(s): Nancy L Atkinson, Holly A Massett, Christy Mylks, Bethany Hanna, Mary Jo Deering, Bradford W Hesse
Primary Institution: University of Maryland
Hypothesis
How do breast cancer patients perceive and interact with an Internet-based clinical trial matching system?
Conclusion
Women felt positively about using the Internet to search for clinical trials, but the system must meet their expectations for credibility and privacy.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants were initially skeptical of the prototype system due to a complicated registration process.
- Changing content and usability improvements led to a more favorable experience in the second phase.
- Women wanted to see trial information before registering on the system.
Takeaway
The study found that breast cancer patients like the idea of using the Internet to find clinical trials, but they want it to be easy to use and trustworthy.
Methodology
Qualitative study with two phases involving small group discussions and usability tests with breast cancer patients.
Potential Biases
Participants may have been influenced by their prior experiences with clinical trials.
Limitations
The study's qualitative design limits generalizability, and participants were not actively searching for trials.
Participant Demographics
All participants were female breast cancer patients aged 18 or older, with a mix of diagnostic stages and ethnicities.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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