title: Involving patients with depression in research: survey of patients' attitudes to participation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinicians report barriers to involving their patients in mental health research and have concerns that participation may have negative effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate patients' views on participating in a primary care randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing two antidepressant drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  General practices, England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hundred and one trial participants were surveyed about their reasons for, and experience of, participating.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The questionnaire was completed by 252/601 (42%) participants. The most influential factors determining participation were: wanting to help others with depression (94%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 90 to 97%) of responders rated this as 'important' or 'very important'); friendly researchers (94%, 95% CI = 90 to 96%); and interest in the research (88%, 95% CI = 83 to 91%). Most were glad they took part and would consider participating in future research. Ninety-six per cent (95% CI = 92 to 98%) reported that their confidence in their GP had increased or remained unchanged since referral. Qualitative analysis of free-text responses indicated that patients found participation beneficial and liked: being altruistic, doing something positive, feeling supported by the researchers, and having time to talk. Many gained understanding of their depression and valued feedback on their progress. A minority reported negative views, which commonly related to taking antidepressants, and answering questionnaires.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GPs have a vital role in facilitating patient involvement in research but report barriers to referring depressed patients to RCTs. However, this data suggests that patients are willing to participate and many find this beneficial. Understanding attitudes to participation in mental health research is a crucial step in designing trials that are more acceptable to patients and GPs. This will strengthen the evidence for therapeutic approaches in primary care.
authors: Department of Community Based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. d.tallon@bris.ac.uk
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Tallon
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Mulligan
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Wiles
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Thomas
authors: Tim J
authors: TJ
authors: Peters
authors: Rodney
authors: R
authors: Elgie
authors: Debbie
authors: D
authors: Sharp
authors: Glyn
authors: G
authors: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000523:psychology*; D012106:Research; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents