Rethinking clinical trials: a survey

To inform actionable recommendations to make the experience of clinical trials better for people

Disclaimer: By participating in this short survey, you consent to the collection and use of your responses for research purposes by 67health and Synthesis Health. The survey is anonymous, and any responses will be collated and published as an aggregated dataset

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* 1. What is your occupation, role or association with the healthcare industry?

Pharmaceutical industry representative

Healthcare professional

Study investigator/clinical researcher

Patient advocacy group representative

A person living with a health issue or a caregiver of someone with a health issue

Agency representative working within the healthcare industry

Regulatory body representative

Other (please specify)

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* 2. What country do you live in?

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* 3. What is your current understanding of the clinical trial process and drug development pathway?

Very knowledgeable (I have extensive experience and understanding)

Knowledgeable (I have a good understanding)

Somewhat knowledgeable (I understand the basics but not the complexities)

Minimal knowledge (I have a limited understanding of the process)

No knowledge (I am unfamiliar with the drug development process)

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* 4. How would you rate the current clinical trial process in terms of being participant-centric, i.e. considering the needs and experiences of people participating in trials?

Very participant-centric (The process consistently prioritises study participant needs, preferences, and well-being at every stage)

Somewhat participant-centric (Participant needs and preferences are considered, but there is room for improvement)

Neutral (The process neither prioritises nor neglects participant needs and preferences)

Not very participant-centric (Study participant needs are acknowledged, but not adequately addressed)

Not at all participant-centric (The process largely focuses on research goals with little consideration for study participants' needs or preferences)

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* 5. What do you think are the biggest challenges in the current clinical trial process? Please select up to 3

Slow clinical trial recruitment

Difficulty retaining clinical trial participants

Overall length of time required for clinical trial process from Phase 1 to market authorisation

Lack of innovation and/or flexibility in clinical trial design. For example, adapting protocols to meet diverse population needs

Complexity of navigating regulatory requirements/processes

Limited collaboration between industry, healthcare professionals and patient community

Ethical concerns or participant safety issues

Lack of participant diversity and inclusion

Low awareness and engagement from participants in clinical trials

Insufficient integration of digital tools and/or technologies (such as e-consent and remote participant monitoring)

Lack of feedback and communication with participants during and after trials

Insufficient focus on patient-reported outcomes, quality-of-life measures and other metrics important to those living with disease

Delays in data analysis and reporting of trial results

Other (please specify)

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* 6. What do you believe requires the most urgent attention to make the experience of clinical trials better for people living with disease? Please select up to 3

Innovation in clinical trial protocols and design to reduce participation burden

Improving participant diversity and inclusion in clinical trials

Implementing AI and digital tools to increase effectiveness and improve patient outcomes

Improving communication and transparency with participants (e.g., regular trial status updates, access to trial results and summaries)

Prioritising the collection and use of patient-reported outcomes

Expanding access to decentralised or hybrid clinical trial models

Addressing trial access barriers within underserved populations

Improved participant engagement and retention

Other (please specify)

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* 7. What do you think are the most promising approaches to make clinical trial protocols and design more innovative? Please select up to 3

Adaptive clinical trial designs to allow modifications and more flexibility throughout the process

Human-centred design (HCD) to prioritise the needs/preferences of participants

Decentralised clinical trials, using technology to conduct trials in real-world settings

More streamlined and transparent data sharing (e.g. using a blockchain platform)

In silico screening tools (i.e. computer analysis) to identify the most promising drug candidates

Clinically integrated trials that integrate research into routine care

Using big data and AI to streamline trial design, minimise risks and ensure trials are representative of real-world conditions

Greater use of wearables and remote monitoring devices for continuous data collection

Other (please specify)

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* 8. What do you think are the most promising approaches to improve participant diversity and inclusion in clinical trials? Please select up to 3

Community engagement and patient feedback in clinical trial design

Ensuring inclusivity is considered from the initial design stages

Leveraging policy frameworks and audits to set enrolment targets that reflect the prevalence of conditions in diverse populations

Expanding trial sites to improve access to diverse populations

Educating study investigators on diversity and inclusivity best practices and/or cultural competency training

Increasing diversity among clinical trial investigators

Designing trials specifically for underrepresented groups

Tailored communication and outreach materials that are culturally and linguistically appropriate to diverse patient groups

Decentralised trial models to improve accessibility for rural communities

Providing financial and/or logistical support for participants (e.g., travel assistance or childcare)

Other (please specify)

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* 9. What do you think are the most promising approaches to integrate patient-centricity throughout clinical trials? Please select up to 3

Community engagement and incorporating patient feedback into clinical trial design

Enhancing clinician-patient interactions through more frequent and meaningful communication

Ensuring information is provided to participants in lay-friendly language

Using AI to simulate trials to understand patient participation barriers

Using technology to design trials with fewer side effects or greater treatment efficacy

Using technology to reduce the frequency of visits and trial duration

Providing additional financial and logistical support

Offering more support services (e.g. counselling or education)

Implementing real-time feedback systems for participants during trials

Incorporating greater use of patient-reported outcomes

Using gamification, interactive elements and user-friendly technology to improve participant engagement

Training clinical trial staff in empathy and communication

Other (please specify)

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* 10. In terms of technology, which of the below advancements do you think should be incorporated into clinical trials to improve the patient experience? Please select up to 3

Use of mobile apps for real-time monitoring and communication

Virtual trial platforms that allow patients to participate from home

AI-driven programmes to design trials

Remote consultations with healthcare professionals

Wearable devices to track health data

Blockchain for secure and transparent data sharing

Other (please specify)

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* 11. What key barriers do you feel need to be overcome to implement these changes to clinical trials? Please select up to 3

Lack of funds or resources

Lack of time to create new innovative design protocols

Lack of access or understanding of AI and digital tools and how they could be implemented

Low patient awareness and engagement with clinical trials

Insufficient collaboration between healthcare professionals, industry and patient community

Regulatory or compliance restrictions

Concerns about data privacy or security

Resistance to change or adoption of new approaches or technologies within the industry

Low patient health literacy

Low patient digital literacy

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Please use this space for any other comments you would like to add

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* 13. If you're interested in being involved in this project or kept informed of the outputs, please leave your name and email address

Name

Company

Email Address