Patient Engagement Initiatives in Clinical Trials: Recent Trends and Implications

Background As clinical trial protocol designs become more complex and eligible patient populations narrow, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit participants and retain them for the duration of the trial. This study surveyed clinical trial participants to learn about the prevalence and impact of new technologies and other supportive solutions designed to improve patient engagement and retention. Patient perceptions of these convenience-enhancing solutions and how they have changed since our last study in 2017 were examined. Methods Based on 12,451 responses to a global online survey collected in 2019, we conducted an analysis of respondents who used convenience-enhancing solutions during their participation in a clinical trial. Results We found that the prevalence of convenience-enhancing solutions is increasing and that their use correlates with high ratings for clinical trial satisfaction, as well as with high ratings for care and attention received during the trial. Conclusions A wide range of strategies and tactics are needed to reduce barriers to participation and improve retention. The use of convenience-enhancing solutions can help reduce these barriers. The solutions are also particularly popular among under-represented populations, revealing further potential opportunities to increase patient engagement specifically among these groups.