Table 4.
Identified focus group themes and example quotes.
| Motivations to Participate in Clinical Trials |
| Hope that participation in the clinical trials will provide options: “… [if] there is a small piece of hope that you can get better, then you should do it.” |
| Future family benefits. “I guess family must be the strongest motivation [to participate in clinical trials].” |
| Being sick enough that participants will try options not previously considered. “If I do not have a disease, I do not want to do it [be in a clinical trial].” |
| The absence of health risks. “If there is no risk to my life, I am willing to participate.” |
| Recommendation from a doctor/health care provider. “I will ask the doctor, and rely on doctor's guidance.” |
| Making a contribution to future. “To make the next generation better than our lives, we are better to be taking that new medicine and testing it.” |
| Perception that younger participants may be more knowledgeable about and interested in clinical trials. |
| Barriers to participation in clinical trials |
| Perception that placebos are the only option for clinical trials. “… If I am given a placebo, that means I am wasting my time for the treatment.” |
| Lack of trust in health care professionals: “Although the doctor says it is no problem, I am still worried and afraid …” |
| Mixed Opinions |
| All participants said “no” to the question of religion or culture having an influence. Later discussions included “others” that had beliefs that would be both for and against clinical trials. |
| Some participants thought incentives would be beneficial and others thought unnecessary. |
| What Participants Want to Know about Clinical Trials: |
| If the [drug] trial has been successfully tested on animals |
| Side effects of the drug |
| Success rates of the drug |
| How the drug works |
| The type of research that has already been completed |
| The organization that conducted the research |
| How long they can expect to live after the medication |
| How much it would cost to participate |
| How to Promote Clinical Trials |
| “Word of mouth” with a good reputation for the group conducting the clinical trial. |
| Partnering with community representatives to conduct outreach to subpopulations. |
| Common communication channels like brochures, flyers, radio, TV and newspapers. |
| Health educators talking to small groups, public discussion forums or workshops. |
| Having outreach tables or booths at community events or integrated into health fairs and other community activities. |