Awareness, Access And Eligibility: Using Technology For Successful Clinical Trial Recruitment

By Jeff Kozloff

When the word “technology” is used in conjunction with clinical trials, many people think of how technological advancements have impacted the actual studies themselves. Wearables, mobile monitoring and the gamification of medicine are just three areas gaining traction.

But let’s go back to basics. Clinical trials require participants, and recruitment is one area where study sponsors can use technology to their advantage.

Unfortunately, as the CEO of a company that offers clinical trial disclosure software, I've seen that three primary barriers still stand in the way of study participation. It’s a clinical trial trifecta:

• Awareness
• Access
• Eligibility

Just as the search for the perfect mate has evolved from the traditional matchmaker to today’s online dating sites and apps, the search for a clinical trial match has led patients and caregivers to the internet. However, this medium is designed to be an interactive experience, not a source of one-way communication. Today’s internet is all about connectivity, and in the world of clinical trials, everyone involved in the process can be connected and vetted via available technology.

The following are a few examples of how clinical trial sponsors -- and, with a few tweaks here and there, any healthcare professional -- can use technology to boost public knowledge and accessibility.