Fear is a major factor behind people’s reluctance to take part in clinical research, such as trials to test new medicines and treatments, a global review has found.
In the UK, up to two thirds of trials currently fail to recruit their target number of participants for vital medical research.
The review, led by researchers at the University of York and Hull York Medical School, found that fear about testing new treatments and possible side effects was the most common reason given by patients for not wanting to participate.