Patient travel: one reason trials don’t make completion

When it comes to clinical trials travel and logistics management, the easier and more straightforward the service for patients, the more likely the success of the clinical trial. One of the biggest challenges in achieving a successful clinical trial is patient retention. It’s estimated that on average, around 30% of patients will drop out of a clinical trial, which could affect the likelihood of a trial reaching completion.

Travel and logistics management

We believe that the management of patient travel and logistics can play a big part in reducing the dropout figures. For instance, due to the anonymous and private nature of patient information in clinical trials, it can be difficult for medical companies to create a rapport with their patients, or provide the level of service required under tight trial budgets. Trials are run with tight deadlines and budgets in mind, and often these can prioritise things like patient retention. However, we believe the external facility of a good travel management partner can help reduce the risk of patients leaving studies early, whilst adhering to trial budgets and timescales.

Care and consideration

Clinical trials can be a distressing experience for patients, so it is fundamental that the proper personal care is guaranteed. Whether that be personal accommodation requirements, to transport essentials, full patient care must be catered for every step of the way. Personal requirements not being fulfilled by the travel manager will add large unnecessary stress to the patient, and could easily put them off continuing the trial process.

Not being equipped or satisfied with personal requirements will result in patient dissatisfaction and upset. Communication failure between travel company and destination can often be the cause of this issue. Additionally, trial managers may be looking at the bottom line and securing travel and accommodation at the lowest cost, despite the effect this would have on patient comfort and care during the trial. A bad patient experience can prove more costly to the trial overall, than the price difference between an economy flight/room and an adaptable one.

Bad communication

It can always be frustrating to put trust in a reputable company, and be let down. Bad communication between travel manager and patient is a crucial component for patient dropout rates. One of the key things for participants in clinical trials is clear communication and scheduling. Participants are essentially disrupting their lives in aid of the trial, so making the experience as simple and transparent as possible for them is another way to ensure retention. Patients are more likely to stay on if they have a clear point of contact and are not kept in the dark about their participation.

Billing errors

Trusting your finances in a company is a vital part to the clinical trial process. Accurate and up to date billing and financial information is mandatory. Billing problems must be handled securely to protect private patient data from falling into the wrong hands. An error in this results in immediate loss of trust, reliability and respect from a patient.

Patient retention and anonymity is crucial to meeting your overall clinical trial objectives, and outsourcing your patient travel and logistics is a key way to ensure this.

Being successfully equipped, organised and efficient is key in preventing patient dropout rates. Sometimes, those running clinical trials don’t always get these factors right and ultimately, this is often a cause for a disruption in the trial process.

For more information on how we can ensure seamless patient travel and logistics which minimizes disruption for your trial, please get in touch.