ArticlePloS one2016
Perceptions and Attitudes towards Medical Research in the United Arab Emirates: Results from the Abu Dhabi Cohort Study (ADCS) Focus Group Discussions.
Article in PloS one, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Progress and outcomes of health systems reform in the United Arab Emirates: a systematic review.BMC health services research · 2017Pooled it
- Awareness, Willingness, and Concerns about Clinical Trial Participation among Iraqi Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.Global heart · 2026Article
- Perceptions about brain health among the United Arab Emirates population using the global brain survey: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- Association between depression, happiness, and sleep duration: data from the UAE healthy future pilot study.BMC psychology · 2022Article
- Motivators and barriers towards clinical research participation: A population-based survey from an Arab MENA country.PloS one · 2022Article
- Perceptions Towards Medical Research Participation: A Study from Jordan.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2020Article
- Population's perspectives toward biobanks in scientific research: a study from Jordan.Pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine · 2019Article
- A Perception on Genome-Wide Genetic Analysis of Metabolic Traits in Arab Populations.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2019Article
- The interaction of personal, contextual, and study characteristics and their effect on recruitment and participation of pregnant women in research: a qualitative study in Lebanon.BMC medical research methodology · 2018Article
- Genetic Research Using Archival Tissue: Ethical, Social, and Legal Considerations in the United Arab Emirates.Asian bioethics review · 2018Article
- Undergraduate medical research in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: a descriptive study of the students' perspective.BMC research notes · 2018Article
- The UAE healthy future study: a pilot for a prospective cohort study of 20,000 United Arab Emirates nationals.BMC public health · 2018Article
- Parental Perceptions About Informed Consent/Assent in Pediatric Research in Jordan.Journal of empirical research on human research ethics : JERHRE · 2017Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundIn developing medical research, particularly in regions where medical research is largely unfamiliar, it is important to understand public perceptions and attitudes towards medical research. In preparation for starting the first cohort study in the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Cohort Study (ADCS), we sought to understand how we could improve the quality of the research process for participants and increase public trust and awareness of research.
methodsWe conducted six focus groups (FG), consisting of Emirati men and women aged above 18 years to resemble the target population for the ADCS. Sampling was purposive and convenient. Data collection was an iterative process until saturation was reached with no new themes identified. Text from each FG was analyzed separately by identifying emerging issues and organizing related concepts into categories or themes. A coding tree was developed, consisting of the main concepts, themes, subthemes and corresponding quotes. Both themes and main ideas were identified using inductive analysis.
resultsForty-two participants enrolled at 3 academic centers (New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE University, Zayed University) and the Abu Dhabi blood bank. Focus group participants described lack of awareness of research as a challenge to participation in clinical research studies. Altruism, personal relevance of the research, and the use of role models were commonly identified motivators. Participants were generally satisfied with the informed consent process for the ADCS, but would be disappointed if not provided test results or study outcomes. Fear of a breach in confidentiality was a frequently expressed concern.
conclusionsParticipants join research studies for varied, complex reasons, notably altruism and personal relevance. Based on these insights, we propose specific actions to enhance participant recruitment, retention and satisfaction in the ADCS. We identified opportunities to improve the research experience through improved study materials and communication to participants and the broader community.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.