Clinical trials can be thought of as living, breathing systems - intricate networks of patients, caregivers, investigators, site staff and sponsors working towards a shared ambition: advancing medical research. And like any complex organism, a trial relies on something vital coursing through it: its lifeblood.

When communication flows - clearly, consistently and with purpose - trials accelerate, barriers shrink and stakeholders advance in the same direction. When communication breaks down, even the most promising scientific propositions can stall.

What the research shows

Across multiple therapy areas and diverse geographies, research shows a consistent pattern: communication changes outcomes.

Site experience drives performance

Research suggests strategic, effective communication between trial teams and site staff - both face-to-face and remote - is a core determinant of successful recruitment and eligibility outcomes¹, reinforcing the importance of early and ongoing dialogue.

Communication underpins consent and retention

Clear, empathetic communication strengthens trust, improves comprehension, and supports confident decision‑making among trial participants. Qualitative studies show that effective communication helps address competing priorities, forges a sense of alliance between participants and researchers, and ultimately reinforces enrolment and retention.^2,3

Interaction improves engagement    

Healthcare professionals consistently prefer hands-on, interactive learning formats over passive content. Internal data suggests a strong  preference for video, live Q&As and interactive case‑based formats, with notably higher engagement for interactive versus static content.^*

Keep trials moving

The evidence is clear: communication isn't a soft skill or nice-to-have - it's the lifeblood that keeps trials moving, sites engaged and participants committed. As recruitment challenges intensify and site pressures mount, effective communication separates successful trials from those that struggle.

Want to learn how we help sponsors strengthen communication throughout the trial lifecycle? Let's talk.

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^*Proprietary client data - further detail available on request.

References

1. Bertram S, et al. J Am Board Fam Med. 2013;26(5):571–578.

2. Albrecht TL, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(16):2666–2673.

3. Coffey T, et al. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2022;22(1):231.