Patient recruitment and retention
In addition to the more traditional methods Synexus employs a number of recruitment techniques including those which target the patient either directly or through patient organisations.
Advertising, PR and joint-marketing initiatives are all used to attract patients to clinical trials. The marketing initiatives are designed to educate the individual and communicate the mutual benefits of participation.
Synexus also maintains a positive relationship with a number of healthcare professionals throughout the world recognising the important role they play in the recruitment of patients onto clinical trials. In the UK, Synexus has relationships with, in excess of, 1500 GP practices each of whom can be mobilised to sending mailshots out to potential patients.
All of these recruitment methods have enabled Synexus to engage with many thousands of individuals who have expressed an interest in participating in a clinical trial. Each response is added to the Synexus database which has grown to become a unique and valuable tool housing in excess of a quarter of a million individuals.
It is these pro-active recruitment methods which enable Synexus to significantly shorten the recruitment process.
A major Pharma recently revealed:
- $17 million was spent on opening sites which did not recruit a single patient
- $35,000 is spent, on average, on finding and contracting with a single investigator
- 60% of sites recruit one patient or less
- Average five patients per site
- 75% of sites are new to the company in any study
Patient contact
The first point of contact Synexus has with a patient is through a tele-screen. The computerised process guides the patient through a questionnaire which will determine their suitability for the trial. The patients which are deemed unsuitable are asked for their permission in order for Synexus to retain their details on the database.
Screening interview
Once a patient is deemed suitable for participation in the trial they are invited to attend a 30-minute consultation. This enables the Synexus Research Physician to further assess the patient's suitability and eligibility. This is also the first opportunity the patient has to ask questions and therefore also plays a key role in the retention of patients.
Consent visit
Following on from the screening interview Synexus will conduct a consent visit will all suitable patients who have agreed to participate in the trial. This provides an opportunity for the patient to ask further questions and is at the point where the study consent is signs. The patient also gives permission for their GP to release SDV (Source Data Verification) on the patient.
Source Data Verification
The Source Data Verification confirms the patient's existence and their past/current medical status.
The various steps Synexus undergoes to recruit patients provide confidence and peace of mind that the project is being handled by a professional. However, it is the numbers where clients tend to become more interested.
Database
eClinic™, is the electronic database and clinic management system which is used by Synexus. It allows database searches for potential patients, pre-identification of patients via electronic screening and full integration with call centre services.
Success
As the chart below shows Synexus has considerable experience in the recruitment of patients across a diverse range of therapy areas. The chart also identifies how Synexus consistently outperforms other recruitment methods.
|
Subjects
|
Time
(months)
|
Sites
|
Synexus per site
|
|
Non-Synexus per site
|
| Elevated CRP |
2,740 |
12 |
11 |
250 |
|
11 |
| Cancer prevention |
1,500 |
10 |
10 |
150 |
|
8 |
| Diabetes |
1,000 |
11 |
10 |
100 |
|
10 |
| Osteoporosis |
1,040 |
9 |
8 |
107 |
|
5 |
| Obesity |
710 |
8 |
9 |
79 |
|
8 |
| CV outcome |
500 |
6 |
6 |
83 |
|
19 |
Time delays...