Safira’s Center for Social & Digital Excellence recently completed a social intelligence report looking at the trends in social conversations from patients and caregivers regarding their feelings and drivers related to clinical trials. Among the top insights gathered are:
- Increased Engagement: There’s a noted increase in public engagement in clinical trial discussions, especially due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that more individuals are seeking information and participating in conversations about clinical trials than ever before.
- Misinformation: due to the lack of authoritative content from the pharma industry targeting the general public or from patients and caregivers experienced in clinical trials, the hole left has been filled with misinformation spread especially by anti-vaxxers and anti-pharma conspiracy theorists.
- Geographical Disparities: The data reveals significant geographical disparities in the discussions about clinical trials, with certain regions like the Midwest showing notably lower engagement compared to coastal states. This indicates that regional factors play a crucial role in shaping public awareness and could guide targeted outreach efforts.
- Digital Conversations and Gender Dynamics: Online discussions about clinical trials are predominantly text-based, and there’s a notable absence of visual content. Additionally, there is a gender dynamic at play, with male participation in these conversations being more prominent, indicating the need for strategies to encourage more inclusive and diverse engagement.
- Vaccine-Centric Discussions: Conversations have been heavily focused on vaccines, particularly due to the public’s interest in the COVID-19 pandemic response. This has led to a better public understanding of the clinical trial phases and the regulatory role of the FDA.
- Behavioral Sentiments: Positive behaviors such as approval, cure, and use are frequently discussed, reflecting general support for clinical trials. However, there are also signs of hesitancy and resistance, as indicated by terms expressing non-participation and mistrust, although these are less frequent.
