Clinical trials in head and neck oncology: an evaluation of clinicians' willingness to participate.

Background: This study investigated the individual and collective ("community") equipoise of surgeons and oncologists and their willingness to take part in each of six hypothetical randomized controlled trials in head and neck oncology.

Methods: A survey was mailed to Australasian head and neck specialists.

Results: Among 109 respondents (74% response), the scenario with the highest level of individual equipoise pertained to the use of adjuvant interferon for patients with high-risk malignant melanoma, with 45% indicating complete uncertainty between treatment approaches. Significant differences in levels of community equipoise were demonstrated between surgeons and oncologists for three of the scenarios. Willingness to participate in randomized controlled trials ranged from 39% to 72%. Increasing strength of treatment preference was associated with unwillingness to participate in randomized controlled trials for two of six scenarios.

Conclusions: High levels of equipoise and willingness to participate in clinical research augur well for future randomized controlled trials in head and neck oncology.