Retention rates are falling in clinical trials. Yes, it is a bit disheartening. But there are some straightforward things you can do to turn it around.
Firstly, let’s think about why there are challenges in patient retention. Well, they mostly come under two core barriers:
As an industry, we need to do more to make patients and carers feel valued when they dedicate their time to clinical trials. We need to recognise each person as an individual, with their own unique preferences and needs. We need to design studies with patients and carers at the core. And once we start to do this, we start optimising the patient experience, which will undoubtedly up the chances of a patient choosing to stay in a study.
Step 1. Gain insights
When it comes to patient retention, one of the biggest mistakes sponsors can make is assuming they know how patients feel and think. All without actually speaking to them. So how do they know if the clinical study is really going to help their patients, without their insights?
Gathering patient insights is best done as early as possible, but it’s never too late! Surveys, focus groups and social media listening are just three examples of how you can get the insights you need at every stage of your clinical study. By speaking with patients and carers, you can gain their perspective on how they are really affected by a condition and what outcomes are most meaningful to them. You can identify patient personas and how you can tailor your retention strategy to meet everyone’s needs. Plus, you can establish if simple changes can be made to your study design to make it more patient centric and therefore easier for patients to take part.
Step 2. Analyse
Great, you’ve got the insights you need. Now take a closer look, because these will tell you how you can boost retention rates. Potential insights you may collect are:
Step 3. Act
As important as it is to gather insights, if you don’t do anything with them, what’s the point? Once you’ve heard from patients and carers, make a change. Actions you could take based on the example insights include:
COUCH Health are here to help. We specialise in effectively engaging with patients and carers and can fully support you with the 3 steps outlined above. Gain insights, analyse, and act. We really do make it that simple. If this post has left you wanting to learn more, then check out our white paper on patient engagement, where we uncover more ways to maximise your clinical trial retention rates.
This blog was originally published here.
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