Every subject adds value to a clinical trial. Patient recruitment and retention are key aspects for the successful completion of a clinical trial. A high dropout rate can lead to a wastage of time, money and effort where any pharmaceutical company will not be able to gather prime data of primary outcomes in a clinical trial. So, getting your recruitment and retention right is paramount. Comprehending this importance, 3H follows a patient-centric approach to recruit the most suitable subjects for a clinical trial and retain them till the completion of the trial. The target is always to have a zero dropout rate. To achieve this high level of standards in recruitment and retention, 3H has adopted proven strategies.

Clinical Trial Branding: Each clinical trial is different from one another. With numerous closely related clinical trials running parallel at a centre, it is important to brand each clinical trial with a fresh set of outreach material. 3H takes great measures in deeply engaging in patient research after understanding the nitty-gritty of protocol requirements. This supports in precisely targeting the right patient pool which is needed for that particular clinical trial. The specialists at 3H, identifies the precise patient profile for the protocol in action, and models patient-centric branding material through appealing copy and logos to reflect on reaching the right patient population.

Clinical Trial Branding, not only helps recruitment, but retention too. A simple ‘Thank You’ card and message of appreciation can go a long way in reducing early discontinuation of subjects.

Such recruitment tools strengthen the trial recruitment process helping the physicians and clinical research coordinators with active support to reach eligible subjects. Clinical Trial Branding, not only helps recruitment, but retention too. A simple ‘Thank You’ card and message of appreciation can go a long way in reducing early discontinuation of subjects. Making clinical trial subjects a part of the clinical trial milestones make them feel appreciated, which improves patient retention rates. Personalising the clinical trial journey of a subject, adds an emotional connotation to being part of the trial, which improves compliance and engagement of subjects with the study team.

Knowledge Sharing through Web Platforms: Today’s clinical trial subjects are well informed and look out to take informed decisions when entering a clinical trial. This makes it important to have an updated website with information on the clinical trial progress, disease awareness and other patient friendly material. In response to this need, 3H’s flagship website “Seikatsu-kojo” hosts information on clinical trials operating in Japan. “Seikatsu-kojo” Web has educative knowledge on a range of topics from rare diseases to cosmetics and beauty products. This clinical trial website has a large number of members registered. “Seikatsu-kojo” database is a great asset for 3H, making it easy to pin-point on highly suitable candidates for a specific protocol. The individuals who are registering on this website have a high interest in clinical trials and 3H is able to reach potential subjects through web advertising of study information, direct contacting and through e-magazines. Awareness about the clinical trial procedures and consciousness of the disease condition helps in better retaining of clinical trial subjects and “Seikatsu-kojo” is a master at it . 

The volunteer data on Seikatsu-Web helped in securing patients for the Phase III Schizophrenia study. Regular follow-ups with the study patients helped to add confidence and trust to make them share their disease symptoms with the study team

Patient Centred Advertising: Bothconventional and non-conventional methods are used by 3H to reach potential subjects.Disease awareness campaigns are one mode of identifying potential subjects in the high risk categories. Advertising of clinical trials are done in a patient centric manner, where 3H takes care of patient analysis, planning, copy and tool creation to expedite clinical trial subject recruitment through well –targeted advertising. Digital and social media advertising as well as print advertising are used. 3H’s partnerships with doctors and the medical fraternity helps in reaching out to patients at different medical centres. This has given an edge for our clients to recruit faster and save on manpower and costs.

Alcohol dependence is common, but it takes right advertising to build confidence in subjects to enrol in clinical studies. Effective advertising which bonds with peoples’ emotions is a great tool to bring forward such subjects.

Preventing Clinical Trial Dropouts: Inconvenience to patients, overwhelming number of visits, long wait times, non-corporative staff are good reasons for patients to quit a trial. 3H facilitates a smooth run for clinical trials. Patient-centric trial visits conducted virtually though online collection of patient data and subject monitoring tools have helped 3H to sharply reduce on early termination. In addition, patient retention tools to appreciate patient participation as well as patient reminders  help schedule patient visits efficiently. Clear expectations to patients from the time of enrolment through simple to understand consent forms and a patient friendly staff supports open communication with subjects about study requirements. Informative resource material provided to patients to carry home, keeps them aware of their disease condition and educates them on why it is important to complete all clinical trial visits.

3H has been able to make a marriage between technology and medical practice to provide innovative solutions to clinical trial recruitment and retention. This makes 3H a top choice for pharma companies looking to invest in cost effective, benchmarked strategies for recruitment and retention. 3H helps secure eligible subjects and retain them with a zero-drop out strategy in an economical way.

To know more about 3H approach for patient recruitment in Asia, please contact imran@3h-ms.co.jp