Clinical studies are essential to better understand illnesses and find new ways of addressing them. Scientists and pharmaceutical companies need people of all backgrounds to participate in these studies, yet there are numerous socioeconomic barriers that prevent this from happening.
Lack of diversity has become a significant issue in the study of chronic kidney disease. Learn more about how socioeconomic barriers impact clinical study enrollment and why finding a solution is so vital.
The most obvious socioeconomic barrier that affects kidney disease clinical trial enrollment is financial. As many as 55% of respondents to one study stated there was at least one cost-related consideration that was very influential in their decision of whether to participate in clinical studies.
The need to travel to the location of the study is one of these costs. Some studies offer a place to stay for the duration of the process, but not all of them do. This adds another expense.
There could be childcare needs, too. A single parent will have a much harder time being able to participate if they also need to pay for childcare.
Additionally, these studies can require missing out on work days. That translates into vital income that participants can’t afford to lose.
There are also practical issues that could prevent people from certain socioeconomic backgrounds from participating in chronic kidney disease clinical trials.
Many of these clinical studies require a significant time commitment. They might need participants to agree to numerous visits, which is not feasible for people with job and family responsibilities.
Transportation could be a concern, too. There’s not just the expense to consider but the logistics. Someone who doesn’t have a car relies on public transport, which isn’t available everywhere and which might not allow them to get to scheduled visits on time.
Health literacy and education levels also play a role in whether people enroll in chronic kidney disease clinical studies. People with lower education levels are less likely to participate because they aren’t sure of the process or what it can mean for them.
There could be language barriers, too. Lower English proficiency often means more significant trust issues, which holds potential candidates back from participating in kidney disease studies.
People who have not had the chance to improve their health literacy tend to worry about participating in trials. They may cite past issues with the medical community and may not want to step outside of their own health services because of cultural differences.
The socioeconomic barriers that keep people from participating in clinical studies don’t just affect those potential participants. They also impact study results.
A lack of diversity in chronic kidney disease studies has been a serious issue for decades. People who are Hispanic or Black have a higher risk of developing kidney disease, yet they are consistently underrepresented in clinical trials. This prevents scientists from understanding the roots of this disease and finding ways of preventing it.
By not having a wide pool of participants, the results could be skewed. This means the medications or treatments might not be as effective for some groups of people or could even increase the risk of further harm in certain populations.
Not being able to have participants from all socioeconomic backgrounds is a drawback in all respects. Medications and treatments are much safer when they provide consistent results among large and diverse groups of people.
It’s a vicious cycle. If medications or treatments don’t work as effectively on minorities, these groups are less likely to participate in future trials.
The importance of diversity in clinical trials can’t be overstated. To assist in achieving this, Orlando Clinical Research Center offers the opportunity to participate in studies at our state-of-the-art facilities. We make the process easy for everyone, providing assistance during enrollment and offering support for those who have concerns.
Whether you’re looking to participate in one of our current studies or are sponsor looking to begin a study, we can help. Contact Orlando Clinical Research Center to learn about our services.
