Study design factors influencing patients’ willingness to participate in clinical research: a randomised vignette-based study

Background: High patient participation in clinical research reduces selection bias, and ensures the generalisability of study findings. We explored study-related factors that may influence patients’ willingness to participate in research. Methods: We submitted by mail two vignettes that described clinical research studies – a drug trial, and a diagnostic study – to patients recently discharged from hospital, and assessed Background: High patient participation in clinical research reduces selection bias, and ensures the generalisability of study findings. We explored study-related factors that may influence patients’ willingness to participate in research. Methods: We submitted by mail two vignettes that described clinical research studies – a drug trial, and a diagnostic study – to patients recently discharged from hospital, and assessed their willingness to participate. We used a factorial design to randomly allocate three study attributes per vignette: in the drug trial, pres...