245296 Minority HIV Patients' Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in Clinical Research

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Caitlin Wolak, MPH , Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Sarah Bauerle Bass, PhD, MPH , Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Ellen Tedaldi, MD , General Internal Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Mary VanDenBerg-Wolf, MD , General Internal Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Caitlin Rohrer, BS , Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Background: HIV clinical trials play an essential role in producing new HIV medications, developing guidelines for the appropriate timing of antiretroviral treatment, and evaluating behavioral interventions that aim to increase the quality of life of HIV-infected individuals; as such is it critical to have participation from all demographic groups, yet minorities are disproportionately underrepresented in HIV clinical research.

Methods: This study assessed minority patient perceptions of the barriers and benefits of participating in HIV clinical trials in an HIV clinic of a large, urban teaching hospital. Twenty-six, age-eligible (18-65), minority patients were recruited and participated in three focus groups; participants were separated by clinical research participation status.

Results: Results suggest differences in perceptions between those who had and had not participated. Facilitators for those who had participated included doctor recommendation and receiving extra medical attention. Those who had not participated indicated disclosure of HIV status, fear of losing the stability that their current medication regimen provided, distrust of the medical system and doubt about the origin of HIV were cited as major deterrents of participation. Both groups indicated a need to better educate minority patients about what clinical research is and its benefits.

Conclusions: To increase minority participation, it is vital to examine the perceptions of HIV-infected patients and develop culturally competent, developmentally appropriate messages that address these issues. tions of HIV-infected patients and develop culturally competent, developmentally appropriate messages that address these issues.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Discuss minority patients perceptions’ of the barriers and benefits of participating in HIV clinical trials

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Clinical Trials

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a Masters degree in Public Health and was the primary research assistant that collected and analyzed the data for this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.