Clinical trials are essential for identifying and characterizing interventions to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Educational efforts aimed at the public and health care providers raise awareness of the concept of clinical research and the important role it plays in improving health and quality of life. Prior knowledge of clinical research helps patients consider a clinical trial as an option at the time treatment decisions are being made. Poor accrual rates to clinical trials can be addressed through increased awareness of the benefits of clinical research.

One of the principle challenges of recruiting participants is the lack of awareness and education about clinical trials, availability, and how to participate.

• Just 15% of respondents in a recent ResearchAmerica! national public opinion survey said that they or someone in their families had participated in clinical research.
• 94% in the same ResearchAmerica! poll said their doctor had never suggested participating in a clinical research study. In a nationwide survey of approximately 1,000 adults:
• 40% did not fully understand the concept of a clinical trial.
• Among cancer patients, 80% did not consider the possibility of participating in a treatment clinical trial because they were unaware that this was an option. (Zon, 2008)
   

To learn more, visit the NIH page, Opportunities for Education and Awareness.