Demographic factors affecting parental attitudes to clinical research in pediatric surgery: A pilot study
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In brief
In brief
This prospective survey of 84 parents examined demographic factors influencing willingness to enroll children in pediatric surgical research. Mothers showed greater reluctance toward studies involving randomization to surgical procedures, while university graduates were less likely to accept surgery versus no-surgery randomization, highlighting gender and education-based differences in research participation attitudes.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate demographic factors impacting parental attitudes to clinical research in pediatric surgery.
Methods
A prospective survey administered to caregivers accompanying children (pediatric surgical outpatient clinic or day surgery) using convenience sampling (September–November 2017) using a previously published survey with Likert scale was performed. Questions included demographics, parental willingness to enroll children in specified types of research, and beliefs regarding conduct of research.
Results
Eighty-four parents were surveyed (100 approached). No demographic factors significantly predicted research participation involving sample collection (urine, saliva, blood) or research requiring follow-up. However, mothers were less likely to agree to studies using common medications (p = 0.049) or common surgical procedures (p = 0.013) and less likely to agree to randomization involving surgery (assigning to common surgical procedure, p = 0.013; surgery vs no surgery, p = 0.031). University graduates were less likely to agree to randomization to surgery vs no surgery (p = 0.02). Beliefs regarding conduct of research were similar, except that non-university graduates were more likely to believe that privacy would be compromised (p = 0.003). Boys were deemed less likely to be too sick for participation (p = 0.03) and more likely to want to participate (p = 0.03).
Conclusion
Behavioral and attitude differences in caregivers can inform strategies for recruitment among researchers. Impact of caregiver and child gender on responses requires further evaluation.
Type of study
Treatment study.
Level of evidence
Level II.