Evaluation of Factors Affecting Clinical Trial Consideration and Enrollment for Cancer Patients.
Clinical trials are essential for advancing cancer treatment, yet participation remains low, particularly among populations affected by social determinants of health (SDOH). This study aimed to evaluate how factors such as age, rurality, race, and language influence consideration for clinical trial enrollment.
A retrospective analysis was conducted on cancer patients treated at Avera Cancer Institute from 2018 to 2022. Demographic and socioeconomic data were extracted from electronic medical records. Patients considered for clinical trials were identified through internal databases. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression, were used to assess associations between SDOH and trial consideration.
Younger patients were significantly more likely to be considered for clinical trials, regardless of rural or urban residence. While rurality alone was not a significant predictor, increased distance from trial sites and older age were associated with decreased odds of trial consideration. Race and language showed limited impact due to small sample sizes and data limitations.
Age and geographic distance are key barriers to clinical trial consideration, with compounded effects observed in older rural patients. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to improve trial accessibility, such as expanding trial locations and addressing logistical barriers. Improved data collection on SDOH is critical to designing equitable clinical trial opportunities.
A retrospective analysis was conducted on cancer patients treated at Avera Cancer Institute from 2018 to 2022. Demographic and socioeconomic data were extracted from electronic medical records. Patients considered for clinical trials were identified through internal databases. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression, were used to assess associations between SDOH and trial consideration.
Younger patients were significantly more likely to be considered for clinical trials, regardless of rural or urban residence. While rurality alone was not a significant predictor, increased distance from trial sites and older age were associated with decreased odds of trial consideration. Race and language showed limited impact due to small sample sizes and data limitations.
Age and geographic distance are key barriers to clinical trial consideration, with compounded effects observed in older rural patients. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to improve trial accessibility, such as expanding trial locations and addressing logistical barriers. Improved data collection on SDOH is critical to designing equitable clinical trial opportunities.
Authors
Stacey Stacey, Xu Xu, Hattum Hattum, Meissner Meissner, Elsey Elsey, Bertram Bertram, Lockhorst Lockhorst, Williams Williams
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