Medscape Surveys Physicians on Clinical Trial Participation

MAURIE MARKMAN, MD, professor of the Department of Gynecologic Medical Oncology at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and physician editor-in-chief of Oncology Net Guide; and Meredith Grimm, RN, director of collaborative grants at MedscapeCME, conducted a Web-based survey of 1844 US and foreign physicians to determine why more physicians are not recommending clinical trials to their patients with cancer.

More than 75% of the healthcare providers surveyed agreed that patients with cancer benefit from participating in a clinical trial. Lack of awareness on how to handle the various aspects of a patient’s involvement appeared to be the main obstacle. Only 20% to 40% of physicians expressed knowledge of available educational resources, the extent of the physician’s involvement, and the interplay of the patient’s insurance coverage during a clinical trial.

Examining responses by specialty, oncologists had the most familiarity with educational information for physicians and patients, patient insurance and reimbursement issues, and the physician’s regulatory responsibilities for patients enrolled in a study. According to the authors, even though 50% to 80% of US oncologists (n = 43) considered themselves familiar with these aspects of trial participation, many “indicated their lack of confidence in being fully aware of either trial-related responsibilities or available resources.” While almost three-quarters of oncologists surveyed acknowledged belonging to a cancer cooperative group or using such a group to enroll patients into trials, the fact remains that less than 3% of patients with cancer take part in a clinical trial.

Almost half the physicians who took the survey, including 53% of oncologists, agreed more Web-based information on clinical trials would help them connect more patients with clinical trials. Many said they wanted improved reimbursement for their participation, more relevant trials for their patient population, better “patient-oriented information” on trials, and more staff support to attend to the needs of patients in trials. In addition, 58% of oncologists cited the “increased physician time required to enter, treat, and monitor patients” as a major barrier, and 36% indicated the complex consent forms. The complete survey results are available at http://tiny.cc/sNuWP.