Impact of individual physicians on enrollment of patients into clinical trials

The National Cancer Institute is committed to increasing enrollment of cancer patients in clinical treatment trials. The factors that achieve successful results are poorly understood. This study analyzes the role of individual physicians in recruitment of patients in clinical trials. A retrospective review was undertaken of all patients with untreated endometrial, cervical, or ovarian cancer potentially eligible for a multi-institutional phase III trial cared for by the Section of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Oklahoma from July 1, 1998 to September 30, 1999. Patient variables assessed included age, insurance status, cancer diagnosis, and enrollment onto clinical trial. There was no difference in faculty patients with regard to cancer type, age, or insurance status. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) between faculty in offering protocol therapy and likelihood of successfully enrolling patients. Successful enrollment was correlated with faculty experience and principal investigator status. This study shows that availability of patients, patient variances, support staff, and institutional commitment are secondary to individual physician factors in determining successful enrollment of patients onto clinical trials.