(825) What are patient perspectives on research participation during labor and delivery

Pregnant people are underrepresented in clinical trials. Black patients only represent 5% of clinical trial participants in the US due to historic injustices that have led to research mistrust. Our objective was to assess the barriers, facilitators, and race-specific perspectives of research participation on labor and delivery (L&D).

Study Design: A prospective cross-sectional survey study of pregnant patients admitted for delivery at a single academic hospital with a high volume of L&D research studies. Inclusion criteria were all patients approached for research participation. An electronic survey was administered via tablet to patients who consented or declined L&D research participation. Descriptive and univariate analyses were used to compare characteristics of patients who consented vs declined research participation and compare motivators/barriers by self-reported race: Black/Afro-Caribbean, White, and additional groups [Middle Eastern, multi-racial, Asian, or American Indian].

Results: We surveyed 221 patients (91%) who consented to research participation and 81 patients (52%) who declined. Self-identified race did not differ between consent and decline groups:  43.6% of those who consented identified as Black, 50% White, and 6.4% as an additional group, while those who declined identified as Black (58.4%), White (33.8%), and members of an additional group (7.8%)(P=0.10).  The most common reasons for declining research participation were concerns regarding health risks and confidentiality and these reasons for declining were similar across all races.  Among patients who consented, the most common motivator for participation was a desire to help other pregnant people followed by the possibility of improving one’s own health. These motivators were similar across all races.

Conclusion:

Black patients are just as likely to participate in L&D research and share similar concerns regarding research participation as other racial groups. Researchers should address safety and confidentiality to maximize patient engagement, while simultaneously emphasizing how research can help other pregnant people.