Date Approved

2018

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department or School

Health Sciences

Committee Member

Irwin Martin, Ph.D., Chair

Committee Member

Jean Rowan, MD, MS

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults remain underrepresented in clinical trials. Knowledge and perceptions related to clinical research usually determine willingness to participate. During the spring of 2016, an in-class paper survey was conducted to determine whether providing a brief introduction to clinical research would affect the willingness of undergraduate students from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Technology at Eastern Michigan University to participate in clinical trials. Some participants received information on clinical research through a short paragraph, and some received no new information, which differentiated the “active” group from the “placebo” group. Overall, both groups provided similar responses to the questions related to understanding and willingness. The majority (> 40%) of responders answered that they had little knowledge. However, only 37% of the active group and 11% of placebo group participants knew that the research was related to humans. Across both groups, nearly 60% of responders expressed willingness to participate in clinical trials. Monetary compensation was the most common motivator, and uncertainty about safety was the most common reason for non-participation in clinical trials.

Keywords: clinical trials, participation, willingness

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