3.1. Qualitative Study Results for Phases 1 and 2
Barriers and Facilitators. The qualitative study’s thematic analysis provided a deep understanding of barriers and facilitators that shape participants’ decisions regarding clinical trial involvement (see The theme surrounding knowledge and experience with traditional clinical trials revealed barriers arising from limited awareness and uncertainties. A decentralized trial’s advantage lies in its potential to provide easily accessible and comprehensive educational materials tailored to participants’ conditions, thereby overcoming knowledge gaps and dispelling uncertainties. Moreover, the mixed attitudes towards digital notifications highlighted the importance of balance—the mobile app could capitalize on push notifications as reminders for trial-related activities while being mindful of participants’ preference for non-intrusive alerts.The value participants placed on health and wellness websites underscored the potential for a mobile app to become a reliable hub for trial information and health-related resources. By centralizing trustworthy content and addressing concerns regarding information credibility, the app can effectively overcome a common barrier tied to information source difficulties. Participants’ recommendations for personalized features and a holistic approach within the app align with the decentralized trial’s potential to offer tailored experiences, addressing both facilitators and barriers. In essence, the qualitative findings emphasize how a decentralized trial, coupled with a well-designed mobile app, can collectively create an ecosystem that dismantles barriers, amplifies facilitators, and caters to participants’ preferences. This approach not only aligns with the changing landscape of health-related information consumption but also reflects a participant-centric strategy that has the potential to revolutionize clinical trial engagement.