U.K. Survey Finds Majority Would Enroll In Clinical Studies

The National Health Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) recently released the findings of a national survey, which found that 95 percent of those polled believed clinical research was a national healthcare priority.

Conducted in September, the poll gathered data from 3,000 English citizens. Only three percent of those polled would not consider clinical trial participation under any circumstances. Eighty-nine percent would be “very or somewhat willing” to participate if they were diagnosed with a serious condition or disease. One in five would consider enrolling to help a seriously ill family member or friend. Another chief motivation mentioned would be “giving back to the NHS.”

While most are willing to consider participation, the survey found that many do not know what opportunities there are and where they can sign up.

Jonathan Sheffield, NIHR CRN CEO, commented that, though 77 percent knew that clinical research happened in hospitals, they were less aware that one in three English general practices(GP) were research active.

Sheffield emphasized the importance of getting the word out. He said, “It is important that we make information about clinical research opportunities widely available to NHS patients, through as many routes as we can.”

It is of particular importance for doctors and researchers to extend the opportunity to healthy volunteers. Sheffield explained, “Research gives people the opportunity to affect future care, whether they are affected themselves or not, and patients can find that very empowering.”

George Freeman, Minister for Life Sciences, expressed his encouragement with the numbers and re-emphasized the U.K.’s commitment to invest in research and continue developing new treatments.

According to an overview of clinical research published by the National Institute of Health (NIH), 75 percent of proposed clinical trials worldwide fail to meet enrollment goals, and 27 percent fail to recruit any volunteers at all.

The report states, a number of experts “expressed the view that the current clinical research enterprise in the United States is unable to produce the high-quality, timely, and actionable evidence needed to support a learning healthcare system.”

The NIH overview reports that a majority of scientists attribute the lag in U.S. clinical research to its high financial cost, complex regulatory requirements, and under-enrollment of human subjects.