Willingness to Participate in Clinical Trials Among Black and African Americans

Despite significant racial disparities in health outcomes, racial minority groups in the United States are not adequately represented in clinical trials, and clinical trial results published in major medical journals often underreport racial demographic data of participants. Lack of diversity in clinical trials threatens the generalizability of study results and reduces the ability of minority groups to benefit from medical advancement and innovation. Prior studies show that Black men are more likely to engage in preventive services when there is racial concordance with their healthcare provider. There is minimal literature about how racial concordance or diversity in clinical trial leadership impacts study enrollment. This project examines whether patients' willingness to participate in randomized clinical trials differs based on the characteristics of the investigator.

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Key information

Conditions

Researcher-Subject Relations

Age range

25 year–64 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States

About this study

We plan to recruit subjects and randomly assign them to one of four treatments. In each treatment arm, the subject will view a photograph of a real NIH investigator. We experimentally vary treatment along two dimensions: whether the sender is Black or white and whether the sender is male or female.

Our primary aim is to assess whether the subject's stated willingness to participate in a clinical trial led by the investigator. Our secondary aim is to assess whether the subject is a more objective measure of interest in signing up for information on other clinical trials. To assess mechanisms, we will ask the respondent to rate the subject's perceived trustworthiness and quality of the investigator. In addition, we will also assess the subject's perceived attractiveness and age of the investigator as well as the subject's risk aversion, altruism, time preference, and general trust.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

participant identifies as Black or White

Exclusion criteria

participant doesn't identify as Black or White
younger than 25 years old, older than 64

Treatment and study plan

Black Respondents Exposure to a Photo

Behavioral

Black survey respondents will be randomly assigned to one of four treatments. In each treatment arm, the subject will view a photo of an NIH investigator. We experimentally vary treatment along two dimensions: whether the investigator is a man v. woman and whether the man is white vs. black. We will survey participants' willingness to participate in a clinical trial and how their initial response is impacted by other characteristics such as perceived trustworthiness and quality.

Primary outcomes

Willingness to Participate in a Clinical Trial

Time frame: February 17, 2022 - February 19, 2022

Survey respondents' willingness to participate in a vaccine clinical trial led by the person in the photo.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Harvard University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2021
Primary completion: 2022
Study completion: 2022
First posted: Jun 24, 2021
Registry last updated: May 19, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed