Clinical trial recruitment statistics [infographic]

We know that clinical trial recruitment can be challenging – but what do the numbers say? And what can they tell us about where improvements can be made?

In our clinical trial recruitment statistics infographic, we break the costs behind recruitment delays. We also share stats on patient preferences that can help us build better, more engaging clinical trials that work for everyone.

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Clinical trial recruitment challenges

• Approximately 80% of clinical trials are delayed or closed because of problems with recruitment.
• 9 out of 10 trials require the original timeline to be doubled in order to meet enrollment goals
• 11% of research sites fail to enroll a single patient
• Up to $8 million in revenue is lost for every day a drug is delayed

Barriers to clinical trial participation: 

• 34% of referrals are never processed by research sites
• 40% of patients cite “fear of side effects” as the top perceived risk of clinical trial participation
• 94% of patients with chronic/acute conditions in our survey said it was "important" or "very important" to know that they'll be able to complete the entire trial. 
• 92% of patients said it was "important" or "very important" for them to know they would be willing to undergo the medical procedures or tests in a study.

Diversity in clinical trial recruitment

• 5% of clinical trial participants are African American, but 12% of the U.S. population is African American
• 1% of clinical trial participants are Hispanic, but 16% of the U.S. population is Hispanic

How can we better engage diverse participants?

• Home visits appeal more to Hispanic and non-white individuals, compared with non-Hispanic and white survey participants (62% v. 40% and 59% v. 38% respectively). 
• Relative to white individuals, non-white individuals are more likely to partake in an observational trial. (79% of white individuals vs. 83% of non-white individuals)

Doctor’s orders?

• 64% of the public would prefer to hear about clinical trials from their doctor.
• 70% of the public has never or rarely considered clinical trials as an option with their doctor. 
• 13% of respondents in our survey said their doctor’s recommendation was “the major reason” they took part in a clinical trial.
• 28% of oncology patients in our sample said that their doctor’s recommendation was the major reason.

Altruism is the biggest driver for clinical trial participation

• 34% of respondents in our survey said that “I want to help future patients who come after me” was the major reason they participated in research.
• 37% of chronic disease patients said helping future generations was the major reason they took part.

How do patients hear about research?

• 5% of clinical trial participants heard about clinical research studies through online patient communities or a social media site.
• 16% heard about clinical trials from advertisements in general. 
• 42% would like to hear about trials from advocacy groups and nonprofit organizations.
• 21% of patients would like to find out about trials through advertisements (printed, online, radio, TV).