Table 3

Attitudes to drug trials among 42 relatives of unconscious adult ICU patients

Question

Grading (percentages)

What would matter if your relative was to participate in a drug trial here in the intensive care unit?

Very important

Important

Minor importance

Not important

Do not know

'That current legislation was followed'

29

5

5

1

2

'That my relative was to gain directly from the trial'

22

13

6

0

1

'That future patients will gain from the trial'

23

15

1

0

3

'That new knowledge is accomplished to develop new therapies'

26

11

2

0

3

'That there is no risk by participation'

24

10

3

0

4

'That there is no discomfort by participation'

22

10

6

1

3

What motives do you think doctors have when they perform drug trials?

'Wish to find new treatments'

39

1

0

0

2

'Wish to help patients'

38

3

0

0

1

'Wish to reduce overall cost of treatment'

0

10

15

12

5

'Wish to gain new knowledge'

33

7

1

0

1

'Wish to make carrier'

4

12

13

8

5

'Wish to earn money'

0

5

12

19

6

More than one answer could be marked.

Perner et al. BMC Anesthesiology 2010 10:6   doi:10.1186/1471-2253-10-6