Predicting volunteer rates in cancer clinical research studies: A case study of stakeholder-identified factors and clinical research study characteristics.

摘要

Conducting cancer clinical research studies at an academic medical center entails a substantial investment in time and staff, and requires a great deal of financial resources, all of which is connected with organizational decision-making and the discipline of business. The high cost and long timelines associated with conducting clinical research studies makes it important to understand drivers that impact participant volunteer rates. Key to understanding which clinical research studies should be offered is considering the stakeholder structure within the institution and the process utilized to make decisions. Utilizing a multiple linear regression model, this quantitative case study examined stakeholder theory and decision theory and its impact on clinical research participant volunteer rates to determine possible drivers to achieving organizational success. Results indicated that the time from study activation to first participant volunteer enrolled was statistically significant and positively influenced participant volunteer rates.