Written by Shalome Sine | ssine@ciscrp.org
Planning for the 2021 Perceptions and Insights Study is underway!
It is more important than ever to better understand the public’s views of and experiences with clinical trials. The COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine development have taken over headlines globally, turning the public’s attention to the topic of clinical research and the pharmaceutical industry. This past year also saw the United States address racial inequities that have been built into our systems. The public’s focus on clinical trials alongside diversity and inclusion issues is unique.
So, how have these events affected the ways that patients and the public feel about the importance of diversity and inclusion, specifically in terms of clinical trial participation?
These are some of the biggest questions facing the industry, and CISCRP’s Perceptions and Insights Study can help to answer them. The Perceptions and Insights Study is a global survey of thousands of respondents that has taken place every 2 years since 2013. The study assesses current attitudes toward clinical research and experiences participating in clinical trials. As we prepare and plan for this year’s survey, here are 3 ways the 2021 findings can help inform your patient engagement strategy:
- Trends: We’ll carry questions from previous years so that we can continue to track trends over time. This will allow you to see how the events of 2020 have impacted perceptions and experiences of clinical research compared to previous years.
- COVID and the rise of remote clinical trial models: We’ll ask those who participated in clinical trials whether they used technologies or alternative clinical trial models (like virtual or home nurse visits), as these were often used in 2020 to limit in-person contact and reduce the spread of COVID-19. We’ll also ask how these new technologies impacted their experiences and satisfaction as a clinical trial participant.
- Diversity and inclusion in clinical trials: The 2021 survey will also include new questions on diversity and inclusion in clinical trials, offering valuable insights into the views of patients and the public on the importance of including a diverse group of participants in the clinical research process. We will also look at the motivations and experiences of underrepresented communities to identify ways to improve engagement among these groups.
The survey will launch later this spring, with results available in September 2021. Keep an eye on the CISCRP website to be notified as soon as results are available!
Click here to review the results of the 2019 Perceptions and Insights study and see general trends found over time so far.
