In new survey of patients, Inspire examines clinical trials, genetic testing

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 05, 2017 -- In a new survey by Inspire, three of 10 respondents say they have talked to their doctors about enrolling in clinical trials, and about 14% actually participated in a clinical trial. 

“Given the increased focus on patient-centric clinical trial design and addressing the issues surrounding trial recruitment by the healthcare community, this was a new area of exploration in this year’s Annual Survey,” said Dave Taylor, Inspire’s Senior Director of Research, and author of the free downloadable report, Insights from Engaged Patients: An Analysis of the Third Annual Inspire Survey.

Over the past three years, the Inspire Annual Survey has captured insights of over 30,000 respondents, representing more than seven million data points, Taylor said.

Other highlights of the 2017 survey included:

• 57% of patients would be willing to share both DNA and health records in a hypothetical clinical research project.
• An additional 16% would be willing to share either their DNA or their health records.
• 54% of patients say they use smartphone apps/tools to manage their health.
• Almost two-thirds of patients have gone without one of their prescription drugs. Most said they had stopped taking their medication due to side effects, but cost and insurance coverage remain pervasive issues.
• More people than ever experienced an increase in insurance premiums, with 62% of respondents seeing an increase in 2017.
• 63% of respondents say they frequently go to doctor’s appointments prepared with notes and/or questions.

Of those who participated in clinical trials, most had either had both themselves and their doctor suggest a clinical trial (38%) or just their doctor had suggested a clinical trial (30%), Taylor said. He added that 19% had not discussed the clinical trial with their doctor, and only 13% had suggested the trial to their doctor.

According to the survey findings, caregivers are more likely to have a doctor suggest a clinical trial for their loved one, and are also more likely to proactively suggest a clinical trial than patients themselves.

Regarding the topic of genetic testing, Taylor said that patients show a high degree of willingness to have their DNA tested as well as potentially sharing their health records with researchers in an effort to further medical science. Many respondents indicate they believe that the key to further breakthroughs lies within the genetic code and they want to do their part to make this leap.

About Inspire

Inspire (http://corp.inspire.com) is the leading healthcare social network, with a mission to accelerate medical progress through a world of connected patients. Partnering with over 100 nonprofit patient advocacy organizations, Inspire creates and manages support communities for more than one million patients and caregivers, representing more than 3,600 health conditions. More than 300,000 members belong to at least one of Inspire’s cancer online support communities. The company helps pharmaceutical companies integrate patient-centricity into the pharmaceutical product lifecycle, from clinical trial design and recruitment to post-marketing brand/unbranded activities.

Contact:
John Novack
Inspire
(800) 945-0381
[email protected]