Clinical research paves the way for groundbreaking treatments and offers a brighter future for patients worldwide. Yet, clinical trials face challenges that can hinder the progress of potentially life-saving treatment.
At Skyelarke, we’ve made it our mission to confront these challenges head-on, offering innovative solutions designed to revolutionize the clinical trials landscape. In this article, we’ll delve into the critical issues faced by the clinical trials industry and explore potential solutions to alleviate these challenges.
The Enigma of Patient Recruitment
Patient recruitment is a challenge that has plagued the clinical trials industry for decades. 80% of trials fail to recruit patients on time worldwide, causing study extensions and costly delays.
In a study where 71% of eligible patients decided not to participate in a clinical trial, the reasons included fear of being treated like guinea pigs and the distance they would travel. A fresh approach to patient recruitment is vital.
A patient-centric approach is the most effective way to ensure people feel like valued participants instead of data points. We can improve how patients perceive clinical trials by providing tailored support and listening to the patient experience.
Financial Concerns as a Barrier
One of the most prominent barriers to participation is the financial burden placed on patients. One study found financial barriers the second most common reason for not joining a clinical trial. Despite sponsors often covering expenses, the fear of incurring out-of-pocket expenses or losing income due to time spent away from work weighs heavily on their decision-making process.
Most studies refund expenses; however, delays to reimbursement cause patients to have to wait weeks or even months to get their money refunded. We must consider this as a priority early on in the design of a trial. Finding the right vendor that can support quick and easy patient payments is crucial. That is why we offer rapid set-up, immediate income, and online receipt management, removing the burden from expense management and making patient payments more manageable.
Security and Compliance
Clinical trials must ensure they handle patient data with the utmost care and adherence to regulations. With data breaches potentially costing $3.8 million per incident, failure to do so can lead to severe consequences on not just the study’s funding but also the trial’s success. Additionally, we must treat patient data with the respect patients deserve. A data breach could harm the participant’s trust, cause them to drop out of the trial, and discourage others from joining.
Vendors and partners must be aligned to ensure your trial and the data you collect are secure. We recommend speaking with vendors to determine if they understand the importance and complexity of cybersecurity and patient data and ensure they have the necessary certifications.
That is why SkyePay is Cyber Essentials Plus certified, ensuring patient data is hosted securely in their location, enhancing privacy and compliance.
Conclusion
By addressing key challenges such as patient recruitment, financial concerns, data complexity, and security, we can foster a more efficient, patient-centric, and accessible future for clinical research.
Our patient payment platform, SkyePay, is a testament to our dedication to making clinical trials more efficient, cost-effective, and inclusive. As an industry, we can overcome these challenges and usher in a new era of clinical excellence.
Contact us if you want to learn more about our clinical trial solutions.