HealthTree Research Results: Capturing Myeloma Patient Views on Clinical Trials via Online Surveys

What do people with myeloma really think about clinical trials? 

Advances in cancer research have expanded treatment options for people with blood cancer. Understanding how patients feel about clinical trials sheds light on participation barriers, supports enrollment, and helps improve care. 

Recently, HealthTree conducted a study to evaluate awareness and understanding of clinical trials among people living with myeloma.  The study also analyzed the reliability of gathering patient data through the use of online platforms.   

Barriers To Clinical Trial Participation

Despite the need for medical innovation, clinical trial participation has not increased significantly over time. Evaluating how safe and effective new medical treatments are through clinical trial research is critical to advancing blood cancer care and ultimately finding cures.    

Numerous factors discourage individuals from participating in clinical trials.

Potential participants often encounter the following barriers that prevent clinical trial involvement:

• Fear of unknown side effects or outcomes
• Financial burdens, such as travel expenses or lost income due to time away from work
• Logistical issues, such as transportation and time commitments
• Lack of clear and accessible information about what trials involve
• Time constraints due to already demanding care schedules

These barriers contribute to poor clinical trial enrollment rates and delay progress in cancer research.  

About the Study 

To better understand these challenges, HealthTree conducted a research study with 214 people diagnosed with myeloma. The goal was to measure awareness, attitudes, and barriers around clinical trials.

Understanding how patients feel about clinical trials and the barriers they may face will help researchers and medical professionals provide care that supports shared decision-making and puts patients at the center of their care.  

Participants were divided into two groups: online participants enrolled in the Cure Hub Portal and in-person participants across multiple Mayo Clinic campuses, and completed a survey administered online and in person, designed to understand knowledge, fear, trust, external influence, and optimism related to clinical trials.  

Survey Results

The survey results provide valuable insights into patient attitudes toward clinical trials and the reliability of online data collection tools.  

While a strong level of agreement was found between both participant groups across most survey questions, particularly regarding their willingness to participate in clinical trials in the future, some notable differences also emerged. Specifically, the study revealed that online participants demonstrated greater knowledge about clinical trials compared to their in-person counterparts. Furthermore, online respondents showed higher levels of agreement when asked about external factors influencing clinical trial participation.

These findings highlight the importance of tailoring clinical trial educational plans to different participant populations to enhance clinical trial awareness and participation moving forward.

Online Surveys Are a Reliable Tool for Gathering Patient Input

One of the key findings from the study showed that online survey responses closely matched in-person results for most questions. This indicates that online platforms are a reliable way to collect data on how people with myeloma feel about clinical trials.

Online surveys have important advantages:

• Expanded Reach: Online surveys can engage a broader audience, including individuals living in rural or underserved communities who might otherwise be excluded.
• Faster Data Collection: Responses can be gathered and analyzed more quickly, enabling faster insights and decision-making.
• Improved Accessibility: By reducing or eliminating the need for travel and in-person appointments, online surveys make participation easier and more convenient for people.

This means researchers can collect more data in less time while including a more diverse group of voices.

As the use of digital technology becomes more common in healthcare, it is important to explore ways to gather patient perspectives using online platforms. This creates the opportunity to engage a wide range of people living with blood cancer in a way that is convenient and efficient.  

HealthTree is committed to improving outcomes for people living with myeloma. By joining Cure Hub, you can contribute your experiences through surveys that shape real-world research and drive progress in multiple myeloma care.

Join Cure Hub Today!

Sources: 

• Awareness Regarding Clinical Trials Among Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM)
• Barriers for cancer clinical trial enrollment   
• Clinical Trial Participation Among US Adults
• Patients' Attitudes and Preferences About Participation and Recruitment Strategies in Clinical Trials