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Barriers to participation in clinical trials of rural older adult cancer survivors: A qualitative study

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Title: Barriers to participation in clinical trials of rural older adult cancer survivors: A qualitative study
Authors: Arana-Chicas, Evelyn, Prisco, Laura M, Sharma, Saloni, Stauffer, Fiona, Dauphin, Serge, Ban-Hoefen, Makiko, Navarette, Jaime, Zittel, Jason, Cupertino, Ana Paula, Magnuson, Allison, Mustian, Karen M, Mohile, Supriya G
Source: Rochester Regional Health authored publications and proceedings
Publisher Information: RocScholar
Publication Year: 2025
Subject Terms: cancer survivorship, clinical trial barriers, geriatric oncology, rural cancer survivors, Humans, Aged, Qualitative Research, Female, Male, Cancer Survivors (psychology, statistics & numerical data), Rural Population (statistics & numerical data), Clinical Trials as Topic, 80 and over, Patient Participation (psychology, statistics & numerical data, methods), Neoplasms (therapy, psychology), Interviews as Topic (methods), Medicine and Health Sciences
Description: Background: Currently, 64% of cancer survivors are aged 65+. Older cancer survivors have unique complications after chemotherapy and are often excluded from cancer clinical trials. Although there is research on barriers to clinical trial participation of older adult cancer survivors, to date no research has explored barriers to clinical trial participation unique to rural older adult cancer survivors. Methods: This study is a secondary qualitative analysis from a study exploring survivorship challenges of rural older adults. Eligible participants were rural residents over age 65 who have completed curative-intent chemotherapy in the past 12 months. Participants (n = 27) completed open-ended semi-structured interviews that included questions on barriers to clinical trial participation. Transcripts were coded independently by two coders using thematic analysis. We have adhered to the standards for reporting qualitative research. Findings: Participants reported a variety of barriers that included limited knowledge and fear about clinical trials, transportation challenges, their physicians not informing them of clinical trials, and thinking they are too old to participate in clinical trials. However, participants also reported facilitators to participating in clinical trials, including acknowledging benefits to their own health and society, and understanding the importance of clinical trials. Conclusion: Rural older cancer survivors face numerous interpersonal, intrapersonal, and organizational barriers to clinical trial participation. Aging- and location-sensitive interventions that focus on patients, their caregivers, and health care providers may lead to improved participation of rural older adult survivors into clinical trials.
Document Type: text
Language: unknown
Relation: https://scholar.rochesterregional.org/rrhpubs/2614; https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12852
DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12852
Availability: https://scholar.rochesterregional.org/rrhpubs/2614
https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12852
Accession Number: edsbas.E4D7B8E2
Database: BASE
Description
Abstract:Background: Currently, 64% of cancer survivors are aged 65+. Older cancer survivors have unique complications after chemotherapy and are often excluded from cancer clinical trials. Although there is research on barriers to clinical trial participation of older adult cancer survivors, to date no research has explored barriers to clinical trial participation unique to rural older adult cancer survivors. Methods: This study is a secondary qualitative analysis from a study exploring survivorship challenges of rural older adults. Eligible participants were rural residents over age 65 who have completed curative-intent chemotherapy in the past 12 months. Participants (n = 27) completed open-ended semi-structured interviews that included questions on barriers to clinical trial participation. Transcripts were coded independently by two coders using thematic analysis. We have adhered to the standards for reporting qualitative research. Findings: Participants reported a variety of barriers that included limited knowledge and fear about clinical trials, transportation challenges, their physicians not informing them of clinical trials, and thinking they are too old to participate in clinical trials. However, participants also reported facilitators to participating in clinical trials, including acknowledging benefits to their own health and society, and understanding the importance of clinical trials. Conclusion: Rural older cancer survivors face numerous interpersonal, intrapersonal, and organizational barriers to clinical trial participation. Aging- and location-sensitive interventions that focus on patients, their caregivers, and health care providers may lead to improved participation of rural older adult survivors into clinical trials.
DOI:10.1111/jrh.12852