Encouraging Cancer Patients to Talk to Their Physicians About Clinical Trials: Considering Patients' Information Needs1

This study examined the effectiveness of detailed and nondetailed information for encouraging cancer patients to discuss clinical trials with their physicians. We hypothesized that detailed messages would lead to greater understanding of clinical trials and increased intentions and likelihood of broaching the topic with a physician, especially among individuals high in need for cognition (NFC). Participants (448 cancer patients) (a) completed a baseline assessment of understanding and intentions, (b) received either detailed or nondetailed messages, and (c) completed follow-up assessments at Weeks 1 and 6. The detailed messages led to greater intentions to discuss clinical trials than nondetailed messages among low-NFC participants. High-NFC participants’ understanding, intentions, and behavior were not differentially affected by the detailed message.