Efficient Patient Recruitment: a key to successful clinical trials

One of the most pressing issues discussed in the interview is the heavy workload that clinical trials impose on study centers. Ursula notes that recruiting and caring for patients, while adhering to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, can overwhelm staff who are also managing routine medical work. Furthermore, misalignment during the early planning stages—such as unclear study protocols or rigid inclusion criteria—can hinder recruitment efforts.

She also highlights physicians’ reluctance in early-phase trials, where safety data is limited. Without confidence in a product’s potential, they may struggle to convince patients to participate. A lack of trust in the investigational product or insufficient communication about its benefits further exacerbates this issue.

Ursula Türcke suggests that clinical research organizations (CROs) can play a pivotal role in overcoming these challenges. By ensuring early and open communication with study sites, offering targeted advertising campaigns, and providing patient-centered solutions—like decentralizing study procedures or reimbursing travel expenses—CROs can help foster a more efficient recruitment process.

In addition to logistical improvements, Ursula advocates for engaging study teams early and rewarding their contributions. She stresses that success is only achievable when all stakeholders — sponsors, CROs, study centers, and patients — work collaboratively. By creating a supportive environment and tailoring solutions to each site’s needs, clinical trials are more likely to achieve their recruitment goals.

Her message is clear: “Efficient trial conduct is only possible if everyone involved contributes their professional expertise in the best possible way.”

Read the full article to gain valuable insights into the strategies and tools that ensure recruitment success and help pave the way for breakthroughs in clinical research. Read the full article here