(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Enrolling and retaining the right patients are important aspects of successful clinical trials. The challenge with CRO clinical trials is that the pool of potential patients required for a study is shrinking due to a huge increase in the volume of clinical trials.
Patients dropping off midway through the study and trials which require frequent visits to a clinic are two factors which compound the challenge.
The following are some factors which can help in finding and enrolling the right patients:
Define Patient Criteria for Clinical Trials Clearly
Since accessing the historical data isn’t feasible for every patient, it is necessary to have a clear definition of the eligibility criteria for enrolling patients in clinical trials.
Accurate and consistent measurement during the enrollment process is important. Using electronic enrollment reduces subjectivity and bias since the tools and processes are standardised.
Electronic enrollment during the start-up phase can be tailored to suit the local environment and language helps in engaging patients well before they agree to participate.
Further, since the electronic enrollment is recorded in a centralised database, the data can be used to track the progress of recruitment accurately.
Look for Clinical Trial Partners, Not Volunteers for the Clinical Trial
Participation in clinical trials require commitment and sacrifice. Patients who agree to participate, do so in the hope of advancing medicine and science for the good of all humans.
Shifting the focus from a volunteer to a research partner, changes the relationship to one of meaning and adds sanctity to the commitment.
A partnership focus adds a whole new perspective, forging a trusted long-term relationship and makes it easier to overcome challenges like adherence and retention.
Proactive management of challenges reduces the probability of clinical trial studies being statistically insignificant because they haven’t been completed. Incomplete clinical trials can lead to millions of dollars being lost and life-saving drugs never reaching the market.
Accurate Budgeting of Expenses
The expenses involved in running clinical trials are significant and all aspects need to be budgeted for. Patients and physicians should be clearly aware of which treatments and tests are the responsibility of the patients, so they aren’t caught off-guard.
Other factors which need to be considered are travel, hotel accommodation, compensation for loss of income, childcare and eldercare.
While funds are available for conducting clinical trials, it is important to address the value being brought to the patients.
If funds appear to be in short supply, it may worthwhile tapping in to marketing budgets to cover the shortfall, as these are generally quite enormous.
Leveraging social media
Social media is a useful platform which can be used to educate the public about cro clinical trials, indicate the benefits and dispel myths relating to participation in the trials.
The messages should suggest that the pharma company isn’t looking for just volunteers but research partners who are desirous of advancing medicine and science.
Hashtags can be used strategically and peer-to-peer patient groups, patient leaders, advocates can be leveraged to spread messages and credible content about clinical trials and seek enrollment throughout these communities.
Digital Tools for CRO Trial Exploration
Physicians often struggle to find information about clinical trials which could be of interest to their patient. If they cannot quickly look up a suitable clinical trial while speaking to a patient, it is unlikely, they will discuss it as an alternative treatment option.
Providing doctors with digital tools for matching patients with clinical trials at the point of care is immensely helpful in increasing clinical trial enrollments.
Patients who spend long hours in waiting and examination rooms have little else to do and giving them access to digital tools and chatbots for exploring available clinical trails based on their location can also help in increasing enrollments.
This needs to become a mainstream part of preparing patients for their appointments, especially for those diagnosed with chronic illnesses and cancer.
Access to digital tools at the point of care should become a normal part of preparing patients diagnosed with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses when waiting for appointments.
Dispelling Myths About Clinical Trials
Dispelling myths associated with cro clinical trials plays a vital role in increasing enrollments.
Emphasis should be given to the high calibre of care and support provided during clinical trials.
Events and webinars can be held to educate patients and narrate stories of how clinical trials have improved the lives of people.
There is a lot of good being done to improve cro clinical trials. The success stories and strides made by people dedicated to helping save people’s lives needs to be communicated.
The general public and patients need to know that clinical trials are necessary to help in bringing life-saving medication and treatment for present and future generations.