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Are Pharmacists a Viable Channel for Education about Clinical Trial Participation?

  • Clinical Trials
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Abstract

Clinical research is fundamental to improving public health, yet public awareness of and engagement in clinical research is very low, as is public trust in the clinical research enterprise. Hypothesizing that pharmacists represent an untapped resource to educate and engage the public about clinical research, this study examines public perspectives on receiving clinical research information from pharmacists. In a 19-item survey, the majority (72%) of the 2,650 respondents were very or somewhat interested in receiving clinical trial information from a pharmacist; but <1% currently receive it and <2% ever asked. Primary interests include information about finding a trial, safety of trials, and ways to learn more; printed information provided at the pharmacy or by email are preferred methods of receiving information. Interest varies significantly among respondent groups, but excepting non-pharmacy users, all respondents desire information at rates greater than 65%, regardless of demographics, knowledge or experience of clinical trials, and patient-pharmacist relationships. These results suggest that pharmacy-directed outreach and recruitment strategies could see high rates of success.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation, 56 Commercial Wharf East, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, USA

    Diane Simmons BA (President and CEO) & Zachary P. Hallinan BA (Research and Communications Project Manager)

  2. Clinical Pharmacology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

    Jill Chapped PharmD (Senior Clinical Research Scientist)

  3. Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Kenneth A. Getz MBA (Chairman, CISCRP; Senior Research Fellow)

  4. Global Enrollment Optimization, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

    Brian P. Schrock MS (Director)

  5. Consumer Health Information Corporation, McLean, Virginia, USA

    Dorothy L. Smith PharmD (President and CEO)

Authors
  1. Diane Simmons BA
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  2. Jill Chapped PharmD
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  3. Kenneth A. Getz MBA
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  4. Zachary P. Hallinan BA
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  5. Brian P. Schrock MS
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  6. Dorothy L. Smith PharmD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Diane Simmons BA.

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Simmons, D., Chapped, J., Getz, K.A. et al. Are Pharmacists a Viable Channel for Education about Clinical Trial Participation?. Ther Innov Regul Sci 45, 443–453 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1177/009286151104500406

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/009286151104500406

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