Table 4

Summary of qualitative findings with frequency effect size >20%

Abstracted finding	Subtheme	Studies in which subtheme is present	Frequency effect size (%)
Understanding of research	RCTs provide the best evidence.	31 35 36	27
Understanding of research	Poor understanding of research	32 33 36 39–41	55
Communication	Difficulty communicating trial methods	31 32 35 37 39–41	64
Patient–clinician relationship	Conflicting roles of being a recruiting physician	31 35 39 40	36
	Clinicians acting as gatekeepers	38–40	27
	Paternalism	35 38 39	27
	Clinician influence on patient decision making	32 35 37 39	36
	Patient well-being a priority	31 32 35 37 39	45
Effect on patients	Possible benefits of taking part in RCTs	31 32 34 38	36
Effect on patients	Possible harms of taking part in RCTs	31 36 39	27
Effect on clinical practice	Positive effect of being involved in RCTs	31 32 34 35 38	45
Individual benefit for clinician	Career development	32 38 41	27
Methods associated with successful recruitment	Importance of research question	31 32 35–37	45
	Trial methods easy to understand, communicate and carry out	32 34 37 38 41	45
	Financial incentives	31 33 34	27
	Appropriate training	32–34 38	36