How to Improve Clinical Trial Recruitment?
Clinical trials are necessary for medical research. Producing new medicines to the market depends on the strength of research organizations and drug companies to test and verify their work vigorously through their Clinical Trials, but finding people willing to participate is notoriously tricky.
Researchers rely on a constant stream of volunteers to test and validate their outcomes. Recruiting patients for clinical trials is difficult. The latest survey from Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (CTTI) recorded that protocol-related and clinician-related effects are essential obstacles to recruitment; yet, patient-related blocks also majorly affect the success or failure of clinical enrolment. Limitations include patient perceptions and information about clinical trials, lack of awareness about possibilities to participate in studies, concerns about placebos, travel time, and trial-related expenses.
Streamline patient testing with the point of care testing devices
The accumulation of too much data or additional trial methods can lead to more persistent study visits and anticipate streamlining of study design. When addressing the study protocol, firms should recognize the potential influence of selecting medical equipment on patient enrolment and retention.
Use social media and mobile platforms.
How patients discover clinical trials has transformed over the years. Before, patients received about practices via media, mail, and their HCPs. Thanks to social media and smartphones, communication is much more direct today. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have made it comparatively easy to recruit patients for clinical trials. Clinical trial sponsors and CROs have nudged up to the power of social media in reaching ‘e-patients.’
Address patient concerns
Misunderstandings about clinical trials are amongst the fundamental reasons patients miss chances to be handled within research settings. By building an effort to reach out to patients with available information, companies can dismiss these fears.
In producing and managing the trial, study managers should also ensure patients that they will be treated with respect and maintenance at each stage of the study.
Make the process patient-centric
The patient recruitment method should depend on individual patients and not diseases. The study design should include the patients’ decisions to ensure the clinical trial has meaningful endpoints. If a clinical trial doesn’t meet real patient requirements, it makes recruitment even more challenging. To make the procurement process patient-centered:
- Getting feedback from patients about the study design
- Engaging patients, their peers, and the community as volunteers in the trials
- Giving input about clinical results
- Producing research programs
Improve patient screening methods
Once patients have been recognized, an efficient screening process needs little travel and is minimally invasive. Thanks to technologies like random sampling, these methods are now possible. They enable applicants to submit their samples from wherever they are without visiting the research facility.
Remote reporting
In recent years, the number and frequency of data points being collected during studies have increased massively. It implies members now coping with complex health requirements are being asked to travel further and attend more.
But in an environment of instant messaging, wearables, and video calls, there is little demand. Regulatory bodies have accepted this and no longer need 100% on-site monitoring, which can significantly affect a sponsor’s ability to recruit and retain sufficient people to test their product adequately.
One size doesn’t fit all.
While companies can use several practical steps to successful patient recruitment limitations, one size does not fit all. Study managers should design an action plan at the start of each trial and ensure they partner with vendors excellently placed to help them achieve their specific goals for the study. The right combination of strategies will provide study managers to tailor their approach, so it works for different patient groups and physicians to enhance patient enrolment and long-term retention.
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