Medical Research Mistrust

Bogart et al., 2021, Minaya et al., 2022, Allen et al., 2022, Rusoja et al., 2021).

    • Medical research mistrust refers to the lack of confidence or skepticism in the medical research process, including clinical trials.
    • This mistrust can stem from various historical, social, and cultural factors.
    • Examples of historical events that have contributed to mistrust include:
      • The Tuskegee Study in which the US Public Health Service withheld treatment from African American men with syphilis for 40 years to study the disease
      • The exploitation of vulnerable populations such as prisoners, people with mental illnesses, and marginalized communities in research
    • Social and cultural factors that contribute to mistrust include:
      • Socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, and lack of representation in medical research
      • Limited access to healthcare
      • The portrayal of medical research in the media and popular culture
      • Misinformation or lack of understanding about medical research, especially with the advent of social media and the ease of spreading misinformation
      • The high cost of drugs and concerns about financial conflicts of interest
      • The perception of the failure of regulatory agencies in their role to protect the public
    • It is important to note that medical research mistrust can vary depending on the population and context.
      • It can affect the willingness of individuals to participate in clinical trials.
      • It can affect trust in the findings of medical research.
    • Addressing mistrust requires transparency, communication, and community engagement in the medical research process.