CT:IQ has launched a practical tool to help research sites navigate the challenges of recruiting participants for clinical trials.
The CT:IQ GREET project (Guidance to Recruitment Examining Experiences at Trial sites) identified barriers and enablers to recruitment at a site level and developed best practice recommendations in the form of the Clinical Trial Site Recruitment Guide.
It is widely accepted and recognised that clinical trial sites often find it difficult to meet recruitment goals, both in terms of accrual targets and timelines. There are very few frameworks targeted at specifically supporting clinical trial sites with recruitment strategies.
As we try to navigate our way through a world impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, many new and ongoing clinical trials will be disrupted. Sponsors, researchers and sites may be asked to postpone planned trials as well as trials that are actively recruiting or in the start-up phase. This might provide an opportunity for many to reflect on current recruitment practices.
Developed by a project team with a broad range of expertise and experience from within the Australian clinical trials sector, key recommendations to improve recruitment are grouped into four main focus areas:
- Accurate STUDY FEASIBILITY before taking on the trial
- Upfront STUDY START UP and planning before recruitment starts
- Understanding & selecting optimal RECRUITMENT METHODS
- Ensuring PARTICIPANT CONSIDERATIONS are top of mind to maximise recruitment outcomes
The Clinical Trial Site Recruitment Guide can be accessed via the CT:IQ GREET project website as either a PDF document or an online learning platform called Teachable.
CT:IQ welcomes feedback on how useful this resource is for you and how future versions could be improved to enhance recruitment into clinical trials in Australia. Go in the draw for one of three $100 gift vouchers for feedback provided by Friday 25 June 2020.