Patient participation in a clinical trial is probably one of the most important factors in effective clinical trials. You can have all the tech and modern medical tools you want, but you won’t get the desired results if you don’t have adequate patient participation. These patients contribute to medical knowledge by donating their precious time to partake in studies.
They do it for a greater cause as these studies contribute toward medicinal and therapeutic development. Therefore, clinicians and researchers need to take care of them, keep them involved throughout the process and make it easier for them to participate in the trial.
Decentralized clinical trials and EDC systems can improve patient participation, and you should look to incorporate these within your medical research setting. Let’s take a look at some ways through which you can improve patient participation in your clinical trial.
Communication is Key
Communication is vital to patient participation in a clinical trial by making patients feel comfortable in what they are doing. Communicating effectively and transparently is one of the best ways to establish trust with your participant. The more they trust clinicians, the more cooperative they’d be in helping with the research.
The key to effective engagement is two-way communication and mutual trust between the researchers and the participants. So, you should hear any concerns and address any issues they have immediately. The participants should know exactly what is happening and the future consequences. Such communication will propel them to take part in future clinical research projects.
Increase Patient Participation in a Clinical Trial through Honesty and Transparency
You need to improve the public perception regarding clinical trials and medicinal development by fostering mutual cooperation which is honest and transparent. Tell prospective patients about the clinical research objectives and how they can help contribute to effective therapeutic development.
Also, be clear on the budget constraints and the amount of money involved in the research, if permitted. This provides a clear message to trial participants that the research is conducted through fair means and intentions are clear of any malpractice.
Sponsors can play a vital role in alleviating mistrust by acknowledging any skepticism and answering questions about the process with transparency. That’s because you’ll showcase the participants’ value by being open about your motivations and honest about the results.
Incorporate Feedback
Feedback is also critical to improve your processes and ensure greater patient participation in the future. You should have an active feedback mechanism because patients can give you an accurate overview of the entire clinical trial and suggestions on where you can improve the process. Sponsors and researchers can help participants feel heard by asking for their opinions at every phase. That way, you can also know how to make the process easier for them. Additionally, this information can also improve the process’s effectiveness.
How Can ClinicalPURSUIT Help?
As mentioned earlier, decentralized clinical trials and EDC systems can increase clinical participation. DCTs eliminate the need to travel or frequently visit medical sites for participation. It saves much money on transportation, lodging, food, etc. This is particularly beneficial for participants who have mobility issues or live far from the clinical trial site. Such flexibility encourages more patient participation.
ClinicalPURSUIT can provide you with the necessary tools and technology to conduct efficient and robust trials. We have made a name for ourselves by providing the best EDC software for clinical trials to elevate your clinical trial setting and help you achieve impactful results. We also provide Randomization and Drug Supply Management and Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Software. Schedule a one-on-one free demo today!