According to a comprehensive overview, recruitment challenges are among the most persistent barriers to timely trial completion, often leading to extended timelines and elevated costs while consuming more time than any other aspect of clinical trials.[i]According to the research, 11% of research sites fail to enroll a single participant, and 37% enroll less participants than expected. Moreover, research from GlobalData has revealed low patient recruitment rates to be the leading reason for early trial termination between 2010 and 2021, comprising 25.4% of all terminated studies.[ii]

AI and other technology tools have emerged as potential solutions for alleviating some of these challenges. For example, AI-powered tools can help research sites to identify potential participants from vast databases of patient records, sifting through data stored in various formats even when information is not recorded in a standardised format. Other tools can support personalised patient outreach, digital outreach, and engagement strategies, reducing the administrative burden involved in such tasks.

Nevertheless, while technology has a role to play, a more comprehensive approach is essential in improving trial recruitment. Better collaborations with sites should be at the heart of these efforts, helping to deliver actively managed recruitment plans that are demonstrating a 60% improvement in trial recruitment.

On Tuesday 8th July, Fortrea, a leading global provider of clinical development solutions to the life sciences industry, is hosting a webinar titled Evolutions in clinical trials: Unlocking new efficiencies in patient recruitment and site collaboration. The webinar will explore a range of interesting topics related to patient recruitment and site collaboration, including the challenges and benefits when considering digital components, the pros and cons of site selection tools, and why recruitment plans make all the difference.

Hosted and moderated by John Kennett, Director of Global Marketing at Fortrea, the session will feature insights from Melissa Harris, Head of Global Patient Recruitment and Engagement at Fortrea and Cameron Glen, Global Business Development Manager, FutureMeds.

To register, please click here.

[i] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7342338/

[ii] https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/features/clinical-trial-terminations/?cf-view