As well as advertising, there are other methods of finding patients to take part in trials.

I’ve always liked the idea of having Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) introduce trials to their patients – being already in a position of trust. Unfortunately, this method doesn’t usually work all that well, but can be worth it if you get an influential HCP on board to promote the trial.

Patient databases and patient advocacy groups are another method of reaching your target audience – especially if you can offer them something of value, such as unique information related to their condition.

A few ways of expanding your potential audience beyond the travel radius of the participating research sites include: the use of mobile sites to bring the trial to previously underserved populations, providing home visits by trial nurses, or offering to cover travel and accommodation costs.