Let's talk medical research

Imagine what it would be like to not know what is happening inside your body. Then imagine going to your doctor and finding out that they are unable to diagnose your disease. This is a reality for many rare disease patients. Thankfully, research has made it possible to not only identify rare diseases, but also improve our understanding of them. Read more

Patient engagement in clinical trials can help improve a troubling statistic: 30% of trial volunteers ultimately drop out of their study. Of course, patients are free to leave a clinical trial at any time, for any reason. But sites and sponsors do have some common reasons patients leave a trial, such as lack of appreciation for their participation and forgetting visits. Incorporate these tips ... Read more

Clinical trials help people access tomorrow’s treatments today. In the age of precision medicine and tumor profiling, this statement is particularly true for oncology patients. According to a recent ProPublica article, even in Phase I trials, 20% of clinical trial participants now see a reduction in tumor size, compared with 5% of participants in the 1990s. Read more

Like medications, medical devices must go through a testing process before they can be approved for patients. Medical device clinical trials function in a different way so simple devices can reach patients faster. The approval process also ensures more complex devices are thoroughly tested. Read more

Of course, keeping patients engaged and on board with your trial is fundamental to its success. But the same goes for site staff, too. In fact, achieving a strong team dynamic with both of these stakeholders can determine the ultimate success of your study. Read more

Clinical trial patient recruitment services can help your company or research site reach your patient enrollment goals. Recruitment companies tend to use a few different services, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks to factor in when you're making your decision. Consider these five service options for help finding the company that has the offerings you are most interested in. Read more

Before a potential new treatment reaches patients, it goes through vigorous testing both in the lab and in the clinic. For potential volunteers, it’s helpful to know what happens at every stage of the research process so you know where you fit in and what you can expect. Read more

Now in its eighth year, the DPharm: Disruptive Innovations brings together leaders in the clinical research space to discuss creative solutions to the challenges that slow progress toward better treatments. Read more

October is Health Literacy Month. Health literacy refers to how well patients are able to process and understand basic health information. For example, patients with low health literacy may struggle to understand the writing on a medication bottle or directions from their doctor. Read more

With 2 billion active users, Facebook can be one of the most powerful ways to reach patients who may be interested in clinical trials – but it's easy to make mistakes, too. Successful campaigns are all about testing, learning, and optimizing throughout the clinical trial patient recruitment process. In addition, ensuring patients are recruited efficiently and economically also entails avoiding ... Read more