title: Schizophrenia trial participation: perceived inclusion barriers and beliefs about antipsychotics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patient recruitment is the universal rate-limiting factor for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in all medical specialties. This study examined the opinions on perceived inclusion barriers and beliefs about antipsychotics of a group of psychiatrists participating in a pragmatic RCT on antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia (the GiSAS trial).
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey of all clinicians working in the trial recruiting centers was performed exploring factors associated to the respondents' opinions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 465 clinicians, 278 (59.8%) responded to the questionnaire. Respondents (n=278) were mainly influenced by clinical and trial-related barriers (89%). Factors such as work setting and antipsychotic prescription choices appeared to be related to perceived inclusion barriers. Most respondents believed in the superiority of SGAs (62.9%), one-third indicating drug company representatives as the most important source of information; this was related to further optimism towards SGAs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respondents were affected mainly by system-related barriers, whereas personal barriers were given less weight. The influence of industry-mediated information could have affected opinions on SGAs and the lack of uncertainty about antipsychotics attitudes towards trial participation.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neuroscience Ophthalmology, and Genetics University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ghio
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Natta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcenaro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gotelli
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parabiaghi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000379:methods; D004346:Drug Information Services; D004348:Drug Labeling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents