Physicians' perspectives regarding pragmatic clinical trials.

AIM: Practicing physicians inevitably become involved in pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs), including comparative effectiveness research. We sought to identify physicians' perspectives related to PCTs.

METHODS: In-depth semistructured interviews with 20 physicians in the USA.

RESULTS: Although physicians are generally willing to participate in PCTs, their support is predicated on several factors including expected benefits, minimization of time and workflow burdens and physician engagement. Physicians communicated a desire to respect patients' rights and interests while maintaining a high level of care.

CONCLUSION: Future work is needed to systematically assess the impact of PCTs on clinicians in meeting their ethical obligations to patients and the burdens clinicians are willing to accept in exchange for potential benefits.