Overcoming design challenges in Community based settings
As the trend towards decentralized, community-based clinical trials becomes increasingly prevalent—now representing 77% of all current trials and 85% of those outside the 20 largest hospitals and academic centers—pharmaceutical companies are recognizing both the potential benefits and the associated challenges. Community-based trials offer a significant advantage in improving recruitment and diversity, critical factors for developing safe and effective treatments. However, they also introduce unique obstacles that require innovative solutions to ensure their success.
One of the primary challenges in community-based trials is overcoming recruitment difficulties. According to the NIH, over 80% of clinical trials experience delays due to recruitment issues, with 85% failing to meet their recruitment goals. This issue is exacerbated by logistical barriers that often deter patients from participating, such as the need to take time off work, lack of reliable transportation, and financial constraints related to childcare. Theranium addresses these challenges head-on by leveraging a range of strategies designed to make clinical trials more accessible and effective.
Theranium’s approach focuses on integrating trials into local healthcare settings, allowing participants to visit nearby community hospitals or doctors’ offices rather than traveling to distant research centers. This model reduces the need for patients to take time off work, simplifies transportation, and alleviates financial burdens associated with travel and childcare. By establishing partnerships with local health systems and utilizing digital health tools, Theranium ensures that trials are not only more accessible but also better suited to capture a diverse patient population. This shift not only supports the recruitment of participants who may otherwise be excluded but also enriches the data collected, leading to more comprehensive and generalizable results.
Furthermore, Theranium’s community-based model empowers local health systems by bringing advanced treatment options directly to underserved areas. This not only provides patients with access to cutting-edge therapies but also injects funding and medical expertise into local communities. However, Theranium acknowledges that smaller community sites often face staffing and infrastructure challenges that are less burdensome for larger academic centers. To address this, Theranium provides robust support through training programs, technological solutions, and ongoing operational assistance, ensuring that community sites are well-equipped to conduct high-quality research.
In summary, Theranium’s innovative approach to community-based clinical trials addresses the key challenges of recruitment and accessibility, transforming the landscape of clinical research. By leveraging local healthcare resources and advanced digital tools, Theranium enhances trial participation, supports diverse patient inclusion, and ultimately contributes to the development of more effective and equitable treatments. This model not only benefits pharmaceutical sponsors but also strengthens local health systems and improves healthcare options for patients in underserved communities.