In a study of research and clinical professionals published in Cancer, researchers found that not only did some respondents view racial and ethnic minorities as less promising study participants, some respondents also reported withholding trial opportunities from minorities based on these perceptions.
Some providers also backed using tailored recruitment strategies, whereas others eschewed race as a factor in trial recruitment. Given these findings, the presence of bias and stereotyping among these professionals should be considered when designing interventions to increase minority enrollment.
“Despite the best intentions to provide equal clinical trial access to all patients, disparities in clinical trial participation persist and may lead to unacceptable increases in morbidity and mortality for some individuals,” the authors wrote. “Herein, we have suggested that bias may…
