Quite simply, getting patients to participate in clinical trials is far from easy.
Widely reported statistics suggest that only 2-5 percent of people choose to participate in clinical trials.
Awareness is a large part of the problem.
In 2020, almost half of Americans (41 percent) reported not knowing anything about clinical trials. Less than 10 percent of HINTS 2020 Cycle 5 respondents reported ever being invited to participate in clinical trials.
There are a number of ways patients become aware of clinical trials:
- Physician’s Office: For the less than 10 percent of physicians who participate in clinical trials they are a source of information for patients.
- Flyers: Flyers posted on campus remain an important way to increase awareness. Likewise, some trials use Craigslist to attract patients.
- Word of Mouth: Potential participants may learn about a study through other participants, patient advocates and advocacy groups.
- Health System: Health systems that have garnered the consent of their patients can mine medical records for eligible participants.
- Digital Media: Trial-specific, compelling digital ads attract participants through precise, targeted placements online.
Timing is Critical in Clinical Trial Recruitment
Regardless of how potential participants become aware of clinical trials, timing matters – and remains the biggest challenge.
Consider a clinical trial seeking participants with Crohn’s disease who are currently experiencing a flare-up. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, and fatigue can significantly impact patients’ daily lives. These flare-ups are unpredictable and can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on individual circumstances and treatment effectiveness. This variability creates a narrow and unpredictable window to identify and engage eligible participants. Traditional recruitment methods may not be agile enough to reach patients during these critical periods.
At OpenClinica Recruit, we utilize advanced digital strategies to address this challenge. We have pioneered using digital strategies to attract, identify and engage potential clinical trial participants. Using sophisticated data-driven targeting, we find and engage ideal participants at the right time, ensuring timely enrollment and improving the efficiency of clinical trials.
Our results are compelling:
- More than 50,000 participants enrolled
- 1,200+ clinical studies
- 250+ therapeutic areas
- 174+ healthcare institutions
To read some OpenClinica Recruit success stories, visit here!
As one who has worked for nearly a decade in clinical trial operations, I am confident that we’re getting better at awareness and working diligently to improve timing. Additional innovation is coming to clinical trial recruitment which promises to more easily help potential participants and clinical trials find each other. Good things are on the horizon.
Looking to boost participation in your clinical trial? OpenClinica Recruit has a proven track record of identifying and engaging clinical trial participants, at the right time in their medical journey.
Watch our short video and learn more – here!