Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Promoting Adherence And Retention To Clinical Trials In Special Populations: A Women's Health Initiative Workshop, Sara Wilcox, Sally Shumaker, Deborah Bowen, Michelle Naughton, Milagros Rosal, Shari Ludlam, Elizabeth Dugan, Julie Hunt, Stephanie Stevens

Elizabeth Dugan

This paper describes a Women's Health Initiative workshop on promoting adherence and retention in randomized clinical trials among ethnic minority women, participants of lower socioeconomic status, and older women. Workshop objectives were: (1) to increase knowledge of demographic and cultural characteristics of diverse groups, (2) to increase awareness of how diversity can affect interactions in clinical research, (3) to explore how research staff behavior can influence adherence and retention, and (4) to increase knowledge of strategies to enhance adherence and retention in special populations. The workshop emphasized the importance of understanding beliefs, values, and experiences that are common in diverse …

Patient Education About Anticoagulant Medication: Is Narrative Evidence Or Statistical Evidence More Effective?, Kathleen Mazor, Joann Baril, Elizabeth Dugan, Frederick Spencer, Pamela Burgwinkle, Jerry Gurwitz

Elizabeth Dugan

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative impact of incorporating narrative evidence, statistical evidence or both into patient education about warfarin, a widely used oral anticoagulant medication.

METHODS: 600 patients receiving anticoagulant therapy were randomly assigned to view one of three versions of a video depicting a physician-patient encounter where anticoagulation treatment was discussed, or usual care (no video). The videos differed in whether the physician used narrative evidence (patient anecdotes), statistical evidence, or both to highlight key information. 317 patients completed both the baseline and post-test questionnaires. Questions assessed knowledge, beliefs and adherence to medication and laboratory monitoring regimens.

RESULTS: All …