How To Engage Frontier Sites Without Sacrificing Compliance Or Data Integrity

By Taylor Davidson, Florence Healthcare

Historically, clinical trials have been concentrated at academic medical centers, large hospitals, and cancer centers. But under this approach, trials aren’t as inclusive or accessible as they should be. Bringing clinical trials to frontier sites–pharmacies, labs, doctors’ offices, and health clinics–can make clinical trials more accessible to thousands of patients. 

70% of the U.S. population lives more than 2 hours away from the closest academic medical center. This distance renders trials inaccessible to people who work strict hours, don’t own a car, or rely on public transportation–and this has devastating effects on clinical trial diversity. 

In 2020, African American/Black patients made up just 8% of clinical trial participants, and Hispanic/Latino patients made up just 11%. Patients over 65 and patients with disabilities were also underrepresented. 

By partnering with frontier sites, sponsors and coordinating centers can make their trials more accessible and patient-centric. But to do this, we must learn from the successful multicenter trials of the past and employ remote technology that links frontier sites, sponsors, and coordinating centers.