title: Attitudes of dental patients towards participation in research.
abstract: The attitudes of dental patients towards participation in research and the independent socioeconomic factors associated with these attitudes are not known. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 120 patients attending dental clinics in Amman, Jordan. For patients who had previously participated in research (n = 28), motivating factors for most (> 75%) included a desire to help others and to advance science. Most respondents (81.7%) showed interest in participating in questionnaire-based research, but fewer would participate in invasive research, e.g. biopsies (22.0%) and drilling teeth (21.2%). Reasons given for not participating in research included fear of infectious diseases (71.3%) and pain (62.1%). Factors considered important in enhancing research participation included being asked to give informed consent (98.2%), fairness in selection of participants (97.3%) and the prospect of humanitarian benefit (96.5%). Sex and education level were significantly associated with patients' perceptions for several of items. To enhance recruitment, researchers should be aware of people's perspectives regarding participation in research.
authors.affiliation: College of Dentistry, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Amad
authors.affiliation: College of Dentistry, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Awad
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Silverman
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003740:Dental Clinics; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires