SubjectWell, provider of a risk-free patient recruitment marketplace for clinical trials, has released its report on consumer perceptions of clinical trials. The SubjectWell Survey of Clinical Trial Awareness and Attitudes reveals significant education is still needed around the existence of clinical trials. Half of those surveyed (50%) had never heard of clinical trials, and only 31% felt confident or very confident that they would know how to get information about clinical trials. 

Despite low awareness, 47% of respondents reported a somewhat positive or very positive perception toward clinical trials, further indicating that increased education efforts can help CROs and sites better meet their trial enrollment goals. 

"It is no secret that enrolling patients in clinical trials continues to be an industry challenge," said Ivor Clarke, VP of Strategy at SubjectWell. "The good news is that most Americans demonstrate a willingness to participate in clinical trials; however, they just don't know what trials exist and where to start. By embracing more modern recruitment strategies, CROs, sites and pharma companies have the opportunity to connect with a more diverse population of candidates and fulfill enrollment goals more quickly."

Key findings from the Clinical Trials Perception survey include:

• Continued consumer education about clinical trials is needed. Half of respondents (50%) had never heard of clinical trials, and the majority (57%) did not recall any advertising for a clinical trial. 
• Opportunity exists to grow use of online media. When an advertisement for a clinical trial was recalled, only 19% of respondents recalled seeing an Internet ad versus 69% in traditional media such as TV, radio or print.
• The internet is as popular as doctors for learning more about clinical trials. When asked how they would educate themselves further about clinical trials, 15% of respondents chose searching the Internet as a first step versus 11% who said they would talk to their physician or healthcare provider.

The survey was conducted over the phone, for 35 days. Calls were placed between Dec. 14, 2015 and Jan. 18, 2016, with 702 responses received.

The categories of questions asked included demographics, exposure to clinical trial advertising and how clinical trials are perceived. Data was collected for respondent gender, age group, ethnicity, employment status, insurance status, income range and whether or not the respondent suffers from a chronic condition.