ArticleCancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.)2026
Patient and Caregiver Reported Barriers to Cancer Clinical Trial Participation: A Scoping Review.
Article in Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
18 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe development of cancer treatments relies on patient participation in clinical trials, yet poor recruitment and retention hinder evidence generation. There exists an urgent need for trial designs that address patient-identified barriers, informational gaps, and concerns. The goal of this evidence synthesis was to identify patient- and caregiver-reported barriers to trial participation and retention.
methodsWe conducted a search in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies describing patient- and caregiver-reported barriers to cancer clinical trial participation. Eligible studies included qualitative or quantitative research published in the English language that reported barriers experienced by individuals with cancer or their caregivers. Four authors screened titles and abstracts, followed by full-text review and data abstraction of included studies. Qualitative results were summarized narratively, and quantitative findings were described using descriptive statistics. Barriers and recommendations for improved clinical trial design were categorized into thematic groups.
resultsThe search yielded 7918 studies, with 131 meeting inclusion criteria. Barriers to trial participation were grouped into three overarching themes: (1) psychosocial barriers (e.g., fear of adverse events, distrust, and perceived limited personal benefit); (2) logistical barriers (e.g., travel requirements and financial burden); and (3) informational barriers (e.g., challenges understanding consent materials). Recommendations emphasized financial and logistical support for participants, appropriate information provision, and fostering trust between patients and trial staff.
conclusionAddressing informational, psychosocial, and logistical obstacles to participation is essential for timely evidence generation. Without meaningful strategies to engage patients and caregivers in clinical trial designs, evidence generation for novel oncology innovations will continue to lag, hampering patient access and appropriate reimbursement.
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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.