Patient recruitment for clinical trials is time-consuming and expensive. However, retaining participants in a study is just as critical as recruiting them. Patient attrition remains a significant challenge, with approximately 30% of patients dropping out after enrolling, leading to heavy financial costs and potential disruptions to trial timelines.
On average, replacing a participant costs nearly three times more than retaining an existing one. This highlights the importance of patient retention in clinical trials and the benefits of prioritizing effective patient retention strategies. Ensuring participants feel supported and engaged can lead to more reliable study outcomes and cost efficiency. A strong patient retention plan benefits not only the researchers and sponsors but also the participants, who may be relying on the study for new treatment options and better care.
5 Ways to Improve Patient Retention in Clinical Trials
1. Be Flexible with Study Visits
One of the biggest burdens for clinical trial participants is the requirement to travel to the research site. This can be exhausting, especially for patients who:
- Live far from the site and have long commutes
- Participate in long or frequent visit-based studies
- Have mobility or health challenges that make travel difficult
- Have family or job obligations that make it hard to attend visits
To improve patient retention in clinical trials, consider:
- Virtual consultations: If permitted by the study protocol, telemedicine visits can reduce travel-related burdens and provide more flexibility for participants who struggle with transportation.
- Flexible appointment times: Offering early morning, evening, or weekend visits can make it easier for patients to fit study commitments into their schedules. This is particularly beneficial for working professionals, parents, and caregivers.
- Decentralized trial elements: Incorporating decentralized trial elements such as wearable devices, remote monitoring, direct-to-patient drug delivery, and home health visits can enhance convenience while maintaining data integrity. This approach also allows participants to stay engaged without needing to travel frequently, which can significantly reduce patient attrition rates.
- Personalized scheduling: Giving participants the option to select visit times based on their preferences and responsibilities can increase their willingness to continue with the trial.
By making participation less demanding, patients are more likely to remain engaged and complete the research study. When trials accommodate the lifestyles and needs of participants, retention rates naturally improve.
2. Friendly and Supportive Site Staff and Their Importance in Patient Retention
The relationship between participants and site staff plays a crucial role in patient recruitment and retention in clinical trials. Patients are more likely to drop out if they feel that study personnel are unavailable, unsupportive, or constantly changing.
To improve patient retention in clinical trials, ensure that:
- Study coordinators are friendly and approachable: A welcoming environment can make a significant difference in patient comfort and commitment. When patients feel that they are more than just a number, they are more likely to stay engaged in the trial.
- Staff are empathetic and supportive: Patients need to feel heard and valued, especially if they have concerns or side effects. Acknowledging their experiences, addressing their concerns promptly, and providing clear guidance can enhance the trial experience.
- Consistent staff interactions are prioritized: Seeing familiar faces at each visit can enhance trust and engagement. If patients interact with different staff members each time, they may feel disconnected from the study.
- The site environment is comfortable: A patient-friendly atmosphere can help reduce anxiety and make visits more pleasant. Comfortable waiting areas, clear instructions, and a welcoming tone from staff all contribute to a positive experience.
- Encourage open communication: Providing direct and clear communication between patients and staff ensures that concerns are addressed in a timely manner. Patients who feel they can ask questions and receive thorough answers are more likely to complete the trial.
A survey showed that patients who described site visits as stressful were more than twice as likely to drop out (38% vs. 16% of those who completed the study). Investing in well-trained, compassionate site staff is one of the most effective patient retention strategies in clinical trials. Building strong relationships between patients and site personnel fosters trust and encourages commitment to completing the study.
3. Set Clear Expectations from the Start to Enhance Patient Retention
A key reason for patient attrition is unmet expectations. Participants may feel discouraged if they don’t experience immediate health improvements, even if the trial protocol anticipates such delays.
To mitigate this:
- Provide thorough informed consent: Clearly explain the study's purpose, duration, and potential outcomes. Patients need to understand what they are committing to so they can make informed decisions about their participation.
- Communicate transparently throughout the trial: Regular check-ins with patients can reinforce expectations and address concerns. Keeping patients informed about potential side effects, trial progress, and next steps can reduce anxiety and uncertainty.
- Acknowledge patient burdens: If a trial is lengthy or challenging, recognizing patient efforts can improve morale and commitment. Simple gestures like personalized thank-you notes, milestone acknowledgments, and direct feedback from investigators can make a significant difference.
- Prepare patients for possible changes: Some trials may involve modifications to treatment, dosage, or visit schedules. Setting clear expectations early on and providing updates along the way helps patients feel informed and engaged rather than frustrated.
When patients have realistic expectations, they are more likely to stay engaged and complete the study. Managing expectations and keeping patients informed prevents misunderstandings that could lead to unnecessary patient attrition.
Learn more about 5 ways to improve patient recruitment in clinical trial in 2025
4. Offer Travel Support and Time Compensation
Many clinical trials involve frequent site visits, which can be time-consuming and costly for participants. Providing logistical and financial support can help reduce dropouts.
Consider implementing:
- Transportation services: Arrange rides for patients who may struggle to travel independently. Providing door-to-door service removes a significant burden for those with limited mobility or no access to transportation.
- Travel reimbursements: Covering gas, parking, or public transportation costs can remove financial barriers. Ensuring patients do not have to pay out of pocket for travel expenses increases retention rates.
- Time compensation: Modest stipends for time spent at study visits can incentivize continued participation. Compensating for missed work or child care expenses acknowledges the time commitment patients make.
- Reminder systems: Using trial management software to send automated visit reminders and protocol updates can improve adherence. Patients who receive reminders via text, email, or phone call are less likely to forget appointments.
By minimizing the inconvenience of participation, patient retention in clinical trials can be significantly improved. Small investments in transportation and compensation can have a substantial impact on trial completion rates.
Learn more about other clinical trial recruitment challenges and how to solve them
5. Keep Patients Informed and Engaged for Better Patient Retention
Patients are more likely to remain in a study if they feel connected to its purpose. A survey asking participants about their reasons for continuing the study found that the most common reason was “to help advance science” (43%).
Other answers were:
- 34% said to obtain better treatment for their condition
- 34% said to receive monetary compensation
- 29% said to obtain education about treatment
- 19% said for free medication and/or treatment
- 16% said their primary care physician and/or specialist recommended the study
To foster engagement:
- Provide study updates: Regularly share trial progress and key findings, even if preliminary. Patients want to feel that their participation is making a difference.
- Express appreciation: Personalized thank-you messages, small incentives, or recognition in newsletters can make patients feel valued.
- Involve them in the research journey: A study found that participants who received periodic email updates were 35% more likely to complete their study tasks. Keeping patients engaged and informed reinforces their role in the study's success.
Learn more about the best patient recruitment strategies for clinical trials
Final Thoughts on Patient Retention in Clinical Trials
Improving your patient retention strategies in clinical trials benefits all everyone involved in the trial. Addressing barriers such as travel, communication, and engagement creates a more patient-centric experience that reduces patient attrition and enhances study success.
We hope these patient retention strategies can help you improve patient retention in your clinical trials and ensure the long-term success of your research.
At Patiro, we understand the challenges of patient retention and we are dedicated to minimizing drop outs by following the patient retention strategies that this article has outlined. Our patient retention efforts have led to a 65% reduction in patient attrition rates and as a result a 40% faster patient recruitment timelines based on case studies.
Schedule a demo today to learn more about how we can help you.
