Shared language (mean score 4.5/5) and doctor's recommendation (mean score 4/5) were the top drivers for trial participation, while cultural concordance importance varied by language (p<0.001).
Cross-Sectional (n=158)
No
Shared language and physician recommendation are key drivers for clinical trial participation among diverse populations, while distance and need for support are primary barriers.
e13502 Background: Racial, ethnic, and linguistic minorities remain underrepresented in clinical trials. While structural barriers to enrollment are well documented, patient perceptions and cultural factors influencing participation remain understudied. This study aims to assess patient perceptions and barriers to trial participation and identify community engagement opportunities. Methods: A 46-item cross-sectional survey of adult patients and caregivers was verbally administered at Northwell Cancer Institute at Rego Park and assessed demographics, perceptions of clinical trials, motivating and hesitating factors influencing trial participation, and community characteristics. Open-ended responses were thematically analyzed. Likert-scale ratings ranged from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (very important) and were analyzed quantitatively via descriptive statistics. Group comparisons were evaluated using χ² tests. Results: A total of 158 surveys (136 in English) were collected from June to August 2025. Respondent demographics are reported in Table 1. Knowledge of the term “clinical trial” varied, with 22% unable to define the term. Common motivators for trial participation included physician recommendation, quality of life improvement, and immediate health benefits. Frequently cited hesitations included uncertainty about treatment outcomes, side effects, and fear of being treated as a “guinea pig.” Among Likert items, shared language with care team (mean score = 4.5) and doctor’s recommendation (mean score = 4) were the most important drivers to participation. Highest-rated barriers were distance from trial sites (mean score = 3.8) and need for additional support (mean score = 3.8). Perceived importance of patient-physician cultural concordance varied significantly by ethnicity (p = 0.03), income level (p = 0.05), and language (p < 0.001). The perceived importance of requiring additional support in order to participate in trials varied by insurance status (p < 0.05). The perceived importance of shared language did not differ across groups. Conclusions: Our findings in a diverse, urban population revealed drivers and barriers to clinical trial participation with select differences in perceptions observed across demographic groups. Understanding these differences lays the groundwork for our next phase of community engagement. Characteristics N (%) Relationship to Patient Self Caregiver 142 (90)16 (10) Sex Male Female 55 (35)103 (65) Race/Ethnicity NH White NH Black NH Asian Hispanic/Latinx Other/Unknown 42 (27)36 (23)21 (13)44 (28)15 (9) Preferred Language to Speak English Other 105 (66)53 (34) Income <50 K ≥50 K Not Disclosed 48 (30)61 (39)49 (31)
Royka et al. (Thu,) conducted a cross-sectional in Clinical trial participation (n=158). Survey was evaluated on Patient perceptions and barriers to trial participation. Shared language (mean score 4.5/5) and doctor's recommendation (mean score 4/5) were the top drivers for trial participation, while cultural concordance importance varied by language (p<0.001).