Jody M Ehrhardt
Ehrhardt Clinical Research, LLC, USA
Title: The Importance of Subject Recruitment and Retention to Clinical trial SuccessThe importance of subject recruitment and retention to clinical trial success
Biography
Biography: Jody M Ehrhardt
Abstract
According to Tufts CSDD, two-thirds of investigative sites fail to meet the patient enrollment requirements for a given clinical trial. And, whereas in 2001 nearly half of all patients screened for clinical trials completed them, in 2010 less than one in four screened patients were retained for the duration of the clinical trial. In light of this decline more sponsors are shifting their investigator recruitment focus to sites with proven patient recruitment and retention plans. If a clinical research site plans to grow and stay relevant a change in patient recruitment and retention planning that is aligned to how patients receive information and feel about clinical trials in mandatory. Successful research sites need to create and implement a strategy that combines social media, technology, subject needs and wants, and open communication while maintaining medical and protocol requirements. A successful strategy must also include every member of the research team in order to reach maximum effectiveness. And, site staff must realize that an integral member of this team is the trial volunteer.