Influence of personal and socioeconomic factors on patient's perception and experience of clinical trial participation at rural NCI designated comprehensive cancer center

e13520 Background: Due to limited access to healthcare providers, lengthy travel times to clinics, and disadvantageous socioeconomic dynamics, patients in rural locations face significant challenges causing a low recruitment in clinical trials. However, there may be preconceived assumptions of a patient’s desire to participate in a trial leading to bias from healthcare organizations and thereby, decreased efforts in enrollment. Dartmouth Cancer Center is the smallest NCI designated comprehensive cancer center, serving rural New Hampshire and Vermont. In this study, we surveyed patients with cancer to assess their level of understanding of clinical trials, factors influencing patients’ willingness to enroll, and the difficulties faced after accrual in the trials. Methods: A 23 items anonymous questionnaire was distributed to the oncology patients at the outpatient clinic. The questions included demographics, socioeconomic status, time to travel, challenges faced in participating in the trials. Cox proportional regression analysis was done to identify factors influencing decision to participate in trials. Results: Among 93 respondents, 74% are within the age of 61 – 80 years, 64.45% are male and 74% are married, 51% are retired and 59.7% have household income of ≤$100,000. 32.2% of our respondents travelled over 1 hour to receive care. 73.3% of the respondents understood what it means to participate in a clinical trial. 91.8% are willing, yet only 40% were given an option to participate in a trial. Only 10.5% ever declined to participate. Additional cost, frequent travel, and possibility of receiving a placebo are the biggest factors in declining a participation. Up to 95% of the participants enrolled in a trial had positive experience and have the ultraistic motives. None of the socioeconomic or personal factors had any significant bearing on willingness to participate. Conclusions: Socioeconomic and regional factors have little bearing on a person's inclination to participate in clinical trials. There is a strong interest in understanding and enrolling in clinical studies. Cancer centers need to reduce the gap between patient interest in trials and actual trial participation.[Table: see text]