Barriers and facilitators to mexican-american participation in clinical trials: physician and patient focus group perspectives

Jesse Nodora, Tomas Nuño, Ken O’Day, Virginia Yrun, Francisco Garcia

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DOI: 10.4236/health.2010.27113                

Abstract

Racial/ethnic minority populations are under- represented in clinical trials and Hispanic participation rates are particularly low. This study assessed barriers and facilitators to clinical trials participation by Medicaid eligible Mexican- Americans and their serving physicians. Qualitative data from two focus groups conducted among Mexican-American Medicaid eligible patients and four physician focus groups were analyzed. Mexican-American patients have a basic understanding of clinical trials. While most are open to participating in clinical research, not speaking English, time, and transportation were identified as barriers. Physicians believe that desperation and financial need are the primary patient motivators for participation. Barriers to physician recruitment and referral include: lack of information about clinical trials, concern that study participation may not be in the patient’s best interest, and lack of staffing and time to conduct trials. Ample opportunities exist to engage providers and patients in future efforts to increase Mexican-American patient recruitment into clinical trials.

Keywords

Clinical Trials Participation; Mexican-American; Hispanic; Medicaid Patients; Medicaid Physicians; Focus Groups; Qualitative Methods

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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