One Simple Way to Lower Clinical Trial Patient Recruitment Costs

It's a common belief that patients aren't interested in participating in clinical trials. Patient recruitment challenges appear to support this assumption – 80% of trials face delays because of recruitment, after all. But surveys from patient advocacy organizations like CISCRP show that at least 75% of patients are willing to take part in trials. So why is recruitment such a slow – and expensive – process?

One problem is related to what happens when patients are told they're not qualified for a particular trial. In a CISCRP survey, of patients who were not qualified for a trial, 40% of volunteers reported doing "nothing." Only 35% decided to search for another trial, and 23% decided not to participate in clinical research altogether.

Reaching out to patients who have already expressed interest in clinical trials can be a powerful way to lower clinical trial patient recruitment costs. Providing patients with additional ways to find trial opportunities also helps make the recruitment process more patient centric, a goal for many trial sponsors.

There are a few ways to reconnect with interested patients, whether through a patient recruitment company or a research site that has existing relationships with patients. When speaking with potential vendors, have a conversation about how they find patients and maintain those relationships from trial to trial. This approach can help you find more engaged patients who will stay in your trial, ultimately lowering recruitment costs.

Connect with patients who have already raised their hands.

Often, research sites will maintain a database of patients who have participated in trials or expressed interest in trials in the past. But in general, these patient databases aren't enough to fully enroll a trial. Sites tend to use other methods, often traditional media, to connect with patients, as well as recruitment companies. When evaluating research sites for recruitment feasibility, consider the site's existing patient database and ask how the site keeps its database active and up to date.

Some patient recruitment companies also find patients who have already expressed interest in participating in a trial. Antidote works with more than 270 health nonprofit and patient advocacy partners who use our clinical trial search tool on their websites. We're then able to connect those patients with trials through our partner network. These patients are also more likely to have heard about clinical research from a trusted source, too.

Give patients the opportunity to find other trial options.

If you're working with a patient recruitment company, ask how they communicate with patients who aren't eligible for a particular trial. Ideally, patients will be encouraged to continue searching for trials that they may qualify for.

While patients are interested in clinical trial participation, they may not feel comfortable with all of the terminology surrounding clinical research. Only 24% of patients who have not participated in a clinical trial reported feeling like they understand the term clinical research "very well." Patients may not understand that trials have different inclusion and exclusion criteria, and that if they don't qualify for one trial, there may be another option that's right for them.

For example, at Antidote, patients sign up to receive clinical trial alerts when they may be the right fit for a study. We communicate with patients regularly to help them feel engaged and interested in trial participation, even if they don't qualify for a particular trial.

Ask patients who do participate for their feedback on the trial.

One of the best ways to lower recruitment costs is to retain patients who join your trial. Unfortunately, around 18% of patients who randomize into a trial ultimately drop out. Patients are free to leave a trial at any time, of course, but engaging patients and helping them feel appreciated can help reduce drop-off.

Patients who have a positive experience in your trial may be more likely to recommend participation to friends and family. In fact, 94% of patients who have participated in clinical trials report feeling either somewhat or very willing to participate again.

Antidote's goal is to connect patients with research opportunities. Learn more about our patient-centric approach by downloading our case studies below.