Patient education and counseling
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In a survey on 26 clinical trials we have studied the reasons why some patients choose to participate in clinical trials while others decline. Interviews were held with 198 adult patients, just after they had been asked by the trial-clinician to participate. We interviewed patients who were asked to participate in a clinical trial, including those who decided not to participate. ⋯ In line with the Health Belief Model, motivational beliefs on the relevance to reducing the threat to the patient's health condition ('values') and the evaluations of the clinical trial the patient is approached for ('expectancy'), are relevant in explaining patient behavior. Moreover, specific evaluative frames of reference are relevant in patients faced with the choice to participate or not. Suggestions are made to improve insight into patient motivation during the informed consent procedure of clinical trials.