The pandemic opened a new window for a Clinical Research organization like Veristat to develop ways to design patient-centric trials. CROs work hard to determine a new treatment option for patients to cure life-threatening diseases and have to do so while thinking about the patient’s well-being. Stakeholders have recognized the need to have the patients at the table when designing clinical trials. It helps improve the patient’s experience while improving the patient’s retentions which enhances the chances of success for the trial.
Here are practical ways you can improve the patient experience during clinical trials:
Walk the patient through the trial journey
It is essential to help the patient understand the intricate details of the clinical trials. Typically, most patients do not consider them to be data collected and the procedures they will undergo during the clinical trial. Most of them are focused on whether or not they will benefit from the participation. By taking the patient through the trial journey, you will help the patients and their caregivers anticipate what to expect during the different points. It helps increase transparency in the treatment journey while helping capture insights into the other point of the treatment.
View the patient’s experience holistically
With the patient’s experience, it is the simple things that make the difference. Focus on taking a holistic look at their experience when determining the procedures along with the clinical trial protocol. Each procedure might not be a burden but can be overwhelming for the patient when combined. Make sure you consider how the patient will spend their time waiting for the next procedure or how they will wait out the drug’s effect when they want to go home. Ensure that the patient and their loved one feel well taken care of.
Incorporate technology
One of the best ways to minimize patient burden in clinical trials is by incorporating technology. Using technology to execute clinical trials remotely while limiting in-person visits can reduce the patient’s burden of traveling long distances to get to the trial site. Incorporating tele-visits in the patient’s schedule allows more flexibility for the visit schedule since the patient could arrange a visit while on a break at work or late in the evening when they are free. Using at-home equipment such as blood pressure and pulse oximeter has allowed patients to enroll in studies while not leaving home.
Ask for patients’ input during the study
Most patients see their participation in the study as a way to help themselves or others in the future. Others might see the treatment as hope that they might do anything to be part of the trial. You can never take advantage of the desperation some patients have. Make sure you include the patient as a partner in the whole study process. This way, you will be able to improve your process continually.
Improving the patient’s experience is one of the best ways to ensure the success of the clinical trial through patient retention. A patient-centric trial will ensure that your patients feel taken care of and understand their journey.
