The Power Of Choice: Why Patient Optionality Is The Key To Advancing Clinical Research

Traditional brick-and-mortar clinical sites, typically located in hospitals within urban areas, have long been the backbone of clinical trials. However, the pandemic accelerated a shift toward conducting study activities closer to participants' homes through decentralized and community-based models, making research safer and more convenient.

These approaches, which leverage virtual technologies and mobile visits, have shown promise in addressing the long-standing challenge of low enrollment rates, with only 2% of decentralized trials being withdrawn or terminated due to low accrual, compared to 46% of traditional trials failing to meet enrollment targets. In 2024 alone, decentralized elements were included in 1,170 clinical trials during the first seven months—a 26% increase over the same period in 2023—indicating growing adoption by sponsors. This shift allows for greater geographic reach, improved patient diversity, and increased participant retention.

This e-book delves into the significance of evolving clinical trial models, their potential to remove barriers to participation, and strategies for sponsors to implement hybrid and decentralized designs effectively.