It is important to recruit patients for every study. However, this can be a costly endeavor. The largest budget category in clinical research is patient recruitment. However, ineffective outreach and costly screen failures are often to blame for this.
Working with a company that recruits for clinical trials allows for more effective recruitment strategies, which result in more qualified leads. Sponsors will save time and money by working to achieve the enrollment goals of their study. We have listed below some factors that can lead to an overspending of money on patient recruitment, and we’ve also recommended ways to deal with them.
Too broad ad targeting
It makes sense, in the early phases of outreach, to use a broad net to find out what ads and channels work best for each specific demographic. After this initial learning phase, it is important to apply the lessons learned and reduce spending. If you define your audience too broadly or don’t focus on keywords that are targeted, it can lead to clicks that do not convert.
Leads who are ineligible to be tested.
Attracting leads who are ultimately not good candidates for the study is one of the biggest issues that slows recruitment and increases costs. Ads may draw patients with a particular condition. However, it’s important to screen them for other criteria that could disqualify the patient. By directing patients to a landing page with information and a pre-screener, it is easier to ensure resources are used only by those patients who will pass the screening on-site.
The patient is not responding.
It can be frustrating when ads bring in patients who seem to be eligible but are hard to reach. It’s also important to remember that the way you handle follow-up is a key factor in improving response rates. It’s more patient-centric to offer patients the opportunity to schedule an appointment (and call them immediately if they do not) as a way of connecting. It can also ensure that patients remain engaged by following up on voicemails via emails or texts.
Eligible patients don’t arrive at the site.
It can be hard to understand the reasons why patients opt out when they interact with an advertisement, complete a phone validation, and then finish the pre-screener. It is common for patients to drop out of a trial because they are confused about the requirements, the details, or some other factor. Consider the reasons that patients give for leaving at this stage and how outreach materials can provide clarification earlier in the funnel.
The most effective outreach methods are also the most expensive.
Most companies that recruit patients for clinical trials will employ a variety of methods to reach out to their patients. Calculate the return on investment based on the number of randomized patients or consented to by the channel. Consider a more affordable channel if these calculations indicate that you need to cut costs. It may be cheaper to use a company that recruits patients for clinical trials by using a database of individuals who have expressed an interest in participating.
