Development and Validation of the Biomedical Research Trust Scale (BRTS) in English and Spanish

Informed Consent: Research Staff's Perspectives and Practical Recommendations to Improve Research Staff-Participant Communication

Informed consent (IC) is the process of communication between research staff and potential research participants. However, ensuring that participants clearly understand what research participation entails, raises significant challenges. The aim of this study is to provide insight into some communication barriers that research staff are confronted with and make practical recommendations to improve communication between research staff and participants. A qualitative research study using semi-structured interviews (n = 13) with research staff from Ghent University Hospital was conducted. Data were transcribed verbatim and coded thematically. Our results indicate that communication- and process-related factors affect the IC process. Emergent recommendations include communication training, more interactive information materials and the use of digital alternatives, increasing general knowledge about research participation and patient- and public involvement.

Development and testing of a biobanking acceptability scale: A multistage effort to add a biobank to an existing longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

More biobanks linked to demographic, phenotypic, and clinical data are needed to advance multiple sclerosis (MS) research; however, little is known about biobanking attitudes among persons with MS, broadly, as well as willingness of participants in an existing longitudinal study to donate biospecimens, specifically.

METHODS

To assess biobanking attitudes in a cohort of MS patients in an ongoing longitudinal study, a new Biobanking Acceptability Scale (BAS) was developed, its reliability and predictive validity tested, and factors that influenced biobanking intent as well as behavior were explored. Analysis included descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Cronbach's α, and Pearson's bivariate correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

In 2018, 227 participants completed the 10-item BAS. Biobanking attitudes were generally positive (BAS total score, M = 38.8 out of 50; SD = 6.7), and most participants expressed willingness to donate hair (87%), saliva (85%), and/or blood (72%). In 2019, 143 participants consented to biobanking and were mailed supplies; 110 individuals provided at least one biospecimen, resulting in 110 saliva samples and 89 hair samples. The 10-item BAS displayed good internal consistency (α = 0.81). Demographic and clinical variables were not significantly associated with BAS score nor actual donation. Total BAS score was related to consent (r = 0.36, p < .001) and to actual donation of hair or saliva samples (r = 0.24, p < .01).

CONCLUSION

Overall, the participants had positive attitudes toward biobanking; the scale should be assessed in more diverse samples. The BAS predicted biobanking consent, and thus may be a useful measure to identify individuals most likely to donate biospecimens and/or identify potential barriers to biobanking that can be addressed through study design.

Racial differences in two measures of trust in biomedical research

Objective:

Lack of trust toward medical research is a major barrier to research participation, particularly among some population groups. Valid measures of trust are needed to develop appropriate interventions. The study purpose was to compare two previously validated scales that measure trust in biomedical research – one developed by Hall et al. (H-TBR; 2006) and the other by Mainous et al. (M-TBR; 2006) – in relation to socio-demographic variables and attitudes toward research. Differences between Black and White respondents were explored.

Methods:

Two nearly identical surveys – one with H-TBR and the other with M-TBR – were systematically administered to a convenience sample. Internal consistency reliability of each scale was assessed. Associations were computed between scores on each scale with attitudes toward biomedical research and demographic variables (i.e., gender, age, race, and socioeconomic status). The difference between White and Black respondents on each TBR score while controlling for age, education, and race was also investigated.

Results:

A total of 2020 participants completed the H-TBR survey; 1957 completed the M-TBR survey. Mean item scores for M-TBR were higher (F = 56.05, p < 0.001) among Whites than Blacks. Whites also had higher mean item scores than Blacks on H-TBR (F = 7.09, p < 0.001). Both scales showed a strong association with participants’ perceived barriers to research (ps < 0.001) and significant, positive correlations with interest in research participation (ps < 0.001). Age and household income were positive predictors of TBR scores, but the effects of education differed.

Conclusions:

Both scales are internally consistent and show associations with attitudes toward research. Whites score higher than Blacks on both TBR scales, even while controlling for age and socioeconomic status.

"Why Don't You Go Into Suburbs? Why Are You Targeting Us?": Trust and Mistrust in HIV Vaccine Trials in South Africa

Trust is a key element of high-quality stakeholder relations, which are themselves essential for the success of HIV vaccine trials. Where trust is absent, community stakeholders might not volunteer to become involved in key trial activities, and potential participants might not volunteer for enrollment. We explored site staff and Community Advisory Board (CAB) members’ experiences of trust/mistrust among community members and potential participants. We analyzed 10 focus group discussions with site staff and CAB members at two active South African HIV vaccine trial sites. We report on key characteristics perceived to contribute to the trustworthiness of communicators, as well as factors associated with mistrust. Attributes associated with trustworthy communicators included shared racial identity, competence, and independence (not being “captured”). Key foci for mistrust included explanations about site selection, stored samples, vaccination, and Vaccine Induced Sero-Positivity (VISP). Our findings suggest that community members’ trust is not necessarily global, in which trials are trusted or not; rather, it appears fairly nuanced and is impacted by various perceived attributes of communicators and the information they provide. We make recommendations for clinical trial site stakeholders invested in building trust and for future research into trust at these sites.

Attitudes and beliefs related to reporting alcohol consumption in research studies: a case from Jordan

Background

Acceptability of alcohol consumption varies wildly across cultures. Several factors such as religious beliefs and social desirability might influence reporting of such behaviors to researchers during relevant investigations.

Aims

This study aimed at assessing reporting of alcohol consumption during participation in research studies in Jordan, and identifying potential reasons and ethical challenges associated with reporting this behavior.

Subjects and methods

A sample of 400 Jordanians was anonymously surveyed regarding alcohol consumption reporting.

Results

The study showed a tendency of not reporting alcohol consumption in research (56.8%). Religious belief and trust issues regarding reporting sensitive information during participation in research were significantly the main reasons of not reporting alcohol drinking (P<0.05), while social shame effect was limited to rural areas (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Raising Jordanians' awareness of benefits of reporting alcohol consumption is highly recommended. Improving confidence in privacy and data confidentiality among Jordanians might help in improving the level of reporting during participation in research.

Comparison of Health Communication Channels for Reaching Hispanics About Biobanking: a Pilot Trial

Cancer education is essential for improving cancer prevention and biobanking knowledge among racial-ethnic minorities, with the goal of increasing diversity and representativeness of biospecimen collections. However, little is known about the communication modalities for optimal delivery of information. We examined feasibility of recruitment and compared communication modalities for delivering cancer prevention and biobanking education to Hispanics. Communication modalities were evaluated using participation rates and change in knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, intention, receptivity, and trust. Enrollment in a biobanking registry was a behavioral outcome. Community members in Ponce, Puerto Rico and Tampa, Florida were recruited. Participants (N = 254) were randomized to one of three communication modalities: standard dissemination (mailed materials); enhanced dissemination (mailed materials plus follow-up call); and 'charla' (face-to-face group discussion). Participants completed questionnaires about their knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, intentions, receptivity, and trust regarding biobanking and cancer prevention pre- and post-intervention. Knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy were improved among all three modalities. Although the greatest increases in knowledge were observed when the information was delivered via charla, the charla had the lowest participation rate. The standard and enhanced dissemination modalities were more feasible for delivering cancer prevention and biobanking education to Hispanics. Lack of differences among the three modalities suggests culturally tailored education may be sufficient to capture the community's intention to participate in biobanking research, regardless of the delivery method for the education. Results from this study contribute to the limited knowledge regarding Hispanics knowledge and intentions for biospecimen collection, and in the future may improve participation in this underrepresented group.