Why you should read this article:

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To gain a better understanding of the general public’s perceptions of clinical research

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To enhance your knowledge of the challenges of recruiting patients to clinical trials

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To reflect on the role of nurses in informing patients and families about clinical trials

In healthcare, clinical research is generally considered to be the sole evidence-based means of testing whether a new approach to treatment is superior to current practice. However, there is limited evidence on the general public’s awareness of clinical research and on people’s willingness to take part in clinical trials. A group of senior research nurses at Cancer Research UK designed an anonymous online survey for members of the public, which included questions around their awareness of clinical research and their willingness to take part in clinical trials. A total of 1,033 respondents completed the survey. The findings confirm that there is not enough information explaining to the general public what clinical trials are and that a population-wide approach to raising awareness of clinical trials is needed.