Racial and ethnic minority patient participation in N-of-1 trials: perspectives of healthcare providers and patients

Lay abstract Commonly, research studies seek to enroll large groups of individuals to test a new product or medication. However, the personalized trial/N-of-1 trial has a different goal. This is to focus on a single person and study their response to different treatments. Our focus group-based study of medical providers and racial and ethnic minority patients, sought to learn how personalized trials can be designed to include the life experiences and cultural considerations of members of minority populations. Participants noted factors such as the role of family, including educational programming or lifestyle changes in the trial, and the use of natural remedies (not prescribed by a physician) as specific cultural considerations. N-of-1 trials have the potential to change the way we deliver primary care and improve disparities, but we must design them to address the concerns of importance to minority populations.