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Thallner R, Gumbinger C, Hohmann A, Wick A, Wick W, Busetto L. Patient, Relative and Staff Experiences of Clinical Trial Participation in Neurooncology: "Maybe You Can Also Show the Positive, No Matter How It Ends". Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:663-676. [PMID: 38919873 PMCID: PMC11197948 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s447407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose There is a lack of evidence regarding how patients with malignant brain tumor and their relatives experience participation in neurooncological clinical trials. Similarly, insights from the perspective of trial staff caring for this group of patients are missing. This study aims to investigate patient, relative and trial staff experiences regarding participation in clinical neurooncological trials. Methods Within a qualitative exploratory study, 29 semi-structured interviews with brain tumor patients, relatives and trial staff were conducted and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) by Braun and Clarke. A patient researcher and patient council were involved in data analysis and interpretation. Results Four themes were developed reflecting significant aspects of the trial experience: 1. "It all revolves around hope"; 2. "Trial participation: experiencing unique medical care"; 3. "Everyone's roles are changing"; 4. "Communication as a possible area of conflict". Experiencing trial participation and general medical treatment were found to be interconnected to such a degree that they were often not meaningfully distinguished by patients and relatives. Conclusion In addition to assessing traditional endpoints for patient outcomes, we recommend increased emphasis on investigating the impact of the "soft" components constituting trial participation. Due to the interconnectedness of medical treatment and trial participation, we recommend further investigation in comparison to experiences in regular care. A deeper understanding of trial participation is needed to inform improvements for patient experiences and staff satisfaction alongside medical and scientific progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronja Thallner
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Gumbinger
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Hohmann
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antje Wick
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wick
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Loraine Busetto
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Virology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Murphy M, McCaughan E, Thompson G, Carson MA, Hanna JR, Donovan M, Wilson RH, Fitzsimons D. Trusting relationships between patients with non-curative cancer and healthcare professionals create ethical obstacles for informed consent in clinical trials: a grounded theory study. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:85. [PMID: 37393250 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01204-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trial participation for patients with non-curative cancer is unlikely to present personal clinical benefit, which raises the bar for informed consent. Previous work demonstrates that decisions by patients in this setting are made within a 'trusting relationship' with healthcare professionals. The current study aimed to further illuminate the nuances of this relationship from both the patients' and healthcare professionals' perspectives. METHODS Face-to-face interviews using a grounded theory approach were conducted at a regional Cancer Centre in the United Kingdom. Interviews were performed with 34 participants (patients with non-curative cancer, number (n) = 16; healthcare professionals involved in the consent process, n = 18). Data analysis was performed after each interview using open, selective, and theoretical coding. RESULTS The 'Trusting relationship' with healthcare professionals underpinned patient motivation to participate, with many patients 'feeling lucky' and articulating an unrealistic hope that a clinical trial could provide a cure. Patients adopted the attitude of 'What the doctor thinks is best' and placed significant trust in healthcare professionals, focusing on mainly positive aspects of the information provided. Healthcare professionals recognised that trial information was not received neutrally by patients, with some expressing concerns that patients would consent to 'please' them. This raises the question: Within the trusting relationship between patients and healthcare professionals, 'Is it possible to provide balanced information?'. The theoretical model identified in this study is central to understanding how the trusting professional-patient relationship influences the decision-making process. CONCLUSION The significant trust placed on healthcare professionals by patients presented an obstacle to delivering balanced trial information, with patients sometimes participating to please the 'experts'. In this high-stakes scenario, it may be pertinent to consider strategies, such as separation of the clinician-researcher roles and enabling patients to articulate their care priorities and preferences within the informed consent process. Further research is needed to expand on these ethical conundrums and ensure patient choice and autonomy in trial participation are prioritised, particularly when the patient's life is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Murphy
- Resuscitation Services, Elliott Dynes Building Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - Eilís McCaughan
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Gareth Thompson
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Matthew A Carson
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Jeffrey R Hanna
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Monica Donovan
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Richard H Wilson
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Donna Fitzsimons
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
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Dunn LB, Kim JP, Rostami M, Mondal S, Ryan K, Waraich A, Roberts LW, Palmer BW. Stakeholders' Perspectives regarding Participation in Neuromodulation-Based Dementia Intervention Research. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics 2022; 17:29-38. [PMID: 34870511 PMCID: PMC9631956 DOI: 10.1177/15562646211060997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated stakeholders' perspectives regarding participation in two hypothetical neuromodulation trials focused on individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRDs). Stakeholders (i.e., individuals at risk for ADRDs [n = 56], individuals with experience as a caregiver for someone with a cognitive disorder [n = 60], and comparison respondents [n = 124]) were recruited via MTurk. Primary outcomes were willingness to enroll (or enroll one's loved one), feeling lucky to have the opportunity to enroll, and feeling obligated to enroll in two protocols (transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS; deep brain stimulation, DBS). Relative to the Comparison group, the At Risk group endorsed higher levels of "feeling lucky" regarding both research protocols, and higher willingness to participate in the TMS protocol. These findings provide tentative reassurance regarding the nature of decision making regarding neurotechnology-based research on ADRDs. Further work is needed to evaluate the full range of potential influences on research participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura B. Dunn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University (USA)
| | - Jane P. Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University (USA)
| | - Maryam Rostami
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University (USA)
| | - Sangeeta Mondal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University (USA)
| | - Katie Ryan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University (USA)
| | - Asees Waraich
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USA)
| | | | - Barton W. Palmer
- Psychology Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System (USA)
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego (USA)
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Helde Frankling M, Klasson C, Björkhem-Bergman L. Successful Strategies and Areas of Improvement-Lessons Learned from Design and Conduction of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial in Palliative Care, 'Palliative-D'. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111233. [PMID: 34833109 PMCID: PMC8619948 DOI: 10.3390/life11111233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials in palliative care are challenging to design and conduct. Burden on patients should be minimized, while gatekeeping by professionals and next-of kin needs to be avoided. Clinical deterioration due to disease progression affects attrition unrelated to intervention, and different care settings complicate comparisons and reduce the generalizability of the results. The aim of this review is to provide advice for colleagues planning to perform clinical trials in palliative care based on our own experiences from performing the Palliative-D study and by a thorough literature review on this topic. The Palliative-D study was a double-blind trial with 244 randomized patients comparing the effect of vitamin D3 to placebo in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer in the palliative phase of their disease trajectory who were enrolled in specialized palliative home care teams. Endpoints were opioid and antibiotic use, fatigue, and QoL. Recruitment was successful, but attrition rates were higher than expected, and we did not reach targeted power. For the 150 patients who completed the study, the completeness of the data was exceptionally high. Rather than patient reported pain, we choose the difference in the mean change in opioid dose between groups after twelve weeks compared to baseline as the primary endpoint. In this paper we discuss challenges in palliative care research based on lessons learned from the "Palliative-D" trial regarding successful strategies as well as areas for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Helde Frankling
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 16, Neo Floor 7, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; (C.K.); (L.B.-B.)
- Thoracic Oncology Center, Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence:
| | - Caritha Klasson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 16, Neo Floor 7, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; (C.K.); (L.B.-B.)
- Stockholms Sjukhem, Palliative Medicine, Mariebergsgatan 22, SE-112 19 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Björkhem-Bergman
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 16, Neo Floor 7, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; (C.K.); (L.B.-B.)
- Stockholms Sjukhem, Palliative Medicine, Mariebergsgatan 22, SE-112 19 Stockholm, Sweden
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Kragsnaes MS, Sødergren ST, Kjeldsen J, Horn HC, Munk HL, Pedersen JK, Klinkby CS, de Wit M, Ahlmark NG, Tjørnhøj-Thomsen T, Ellingsen T. Experiences and perceptions of patients with psoriatic arthritis participating in a trial of faecal microbiota transplantation: a nested qualitative study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e039471. [PMID: 34006020 PMCID: PMC7942243 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients' first-hand experiences of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) performed in a rheumatological care setting have yet to be elucidated. The objectives were to explore participants' perceptions of being part of an FMT trial thereby identifying potential trial participation effects and enlightening the patient perspective on the outlook for future FMT trials in rheumatic diseases. DESIGN In a qualitative study nested within a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) testing FMT as a potential new antirheumatic treatment, semistructured telephone interviews were conducted following the trial participants' final 26-week visit. Qualitative researchers, who did not take part in the main trial, performed the interviews and the primary analysis. The experiences explored related to the conduct of the RCT and changes in the participants' everyday life. The analysis was carried out using a thematic approach. SETTING A Danish rheumatology university outpatient clinic with nationwide inclusion. PARTICIPANTS The study included 10 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who were unaware of their treatment allocation (FMT/sham transplantation) and completed the final 26-week trial visit. RESULTS Participation in the RCT influenced the patients' understanding of PsA and induced positive changes in their everyday life. Renewed hopes for the future in addition to a feeling of enhanced care contributed to significant trial participation effects. FMT was deemed a tolerable and safe treatment. CONCLUSIONS Discrepancies between the clinical and the research setting should be considered when discussing the clinical relevance of the results of the RCT. Overall, patients with PsA who have participated in an RCT testing FMT find the treatment acceptable and safe encouraging more research into the field of microbiota-targeted interventions in rheumatic diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03058900; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shaun Theodor Sødergren
- Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jens Kjeldsen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jens Kristian Pedersen
- Department of Medicine, Svendborg Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Svendborg, Denmark
| | | | | | - Nanna Gram Ahlmark
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tine Tjørnhøj-Thomsen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Torkell Ellingsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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