Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40635454›Full record

ArticleCancer research and treatment2026

Barriers to Clinical Trial Enrollment: KCSG Survey-Based Perspectives of Medical Oncologists, Patients, and Their Caregivers.

Chi Hoon Maeng, Inkeun Park, In Hee Lee, Ho Jung An, Hyun Jeong Shim, Sang-Cheol Lee

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cancer research and treatment, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Chi Hoon MaengDivision of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Inkeun ParkDepartment of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
In Hee LeeDepartment of Oncology/ Hematology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Ho Jung AnDivision of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea.
Hyun Jeong ShimDepartment of Hematology and Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea.
Sang-Cheol LeeDivision of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea. leptin72@gmail.com.

Funding

PROVIDE RABBITS, RATS MICE, HAMSTERS GERBILS, GUINEA PIGS27307C0012 · NIEHS · PI BOLEN, WAYNE · 2007 to 2007
$1.0M
Korean Cancer Study GroupMinistry of Health and Welfare HA22C0012National Cancer CenterNIEHS NIH HHS 27307C0012
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeDespite the critical role of clinical trials in advancing cancer treatment, patient enrollment remains challenging in South Korea. We aimed to identify key barriers to clinical trial participation from the perspectives of medical oncologists, patients, and caregivers. MATERIALS AND

methodsTwo web-based surveys were conducted in August 2022: one involving 100 Korean Cancer Study Group-affiliated medical oncologists, and another involving 100 cancer patients and 100 caregivers. Structured questionnaires were used to assess experiences, perceived barriers, and access to trial-related information. Focus group interviews (FGIs) were conducted with six patients and caregivers to explore qualitative insights in greater depth.

resultsAmong oncologists, 98% had prior experience with clinical trials; the same proportion expressed willingness to refer patients to other institutions. However, 76% reported failed or abandoned referral attempts, primarily due to insufficient information on trial eligibility and enrollment status. Although 86% of patients and caregivers were aware of the clinical trial, only 23% had actual participation experience. Physician recommendations emerged as the most influential factor driving participation. Nonetheless, most reported difficulties in accessing reliable trial information, citing unfamiliarity with search tools, complex content, and absence of centralized platforms. The FGI findings supported these results, highlighting the importance of physician guidance and identifying limited access to information as major barriers to enrollment.

conclusionDespite positive attitudes, clinical trial participation remains constrained by fragmented referral systems and inaccessible information. Establishing a coordinated, interinstitutional referral platform and improving user-friendly information delivery may enhance enrollment and promote equitable access to cancer clinical trials in South Korea.

Indexed as

CaregiversClinical Trials as TopicNeoplasmsOncologistsPatient ParticipationPatient SelectionAdultAgedFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedRepublic of KoreaSurveys and QuestionnairesCaregiversInformation accessMedical oncologistsNeoplasmsPatientsSurvey and questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID40635454
PMCPMC13382545

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.