Creating Partnerships to Reengineer Clinical Research

Medical research at the clinical trial stage is critical for evaluating new therapies to combat disease and promote health. But this final phase of research can be extremely slow and difficult, sometimes taking years to move a potential treatment from the laboratory to patients. Enrolling participants into clinical trials is increasingly challenging, and the traditional trial process—although long-respected as the gold standard—requires rethinking.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation’s premier medical research agency, is exploring ways to improve and enhance clinical research endeavors and has engaged HCM Strategists to help. Knowing that outside input is essential, HCM brought patients and members of the health advocacy community to the table to discuss the conduct and future of clinical research with NIH.

HCM hosted a town hall meeting to open a dialogue. More than 80 patient organizations met with NIH to discuss such challenges as trust, oversight, and community involvement. Participants raised issues and suggested areas for potential reform. By engaging the patient advocacy community, HCM helped NIH build a foundation of support and identified contributors to the process of developing recommendations that will improve clinical trials.

HCM Strategists continues to work with NIH and communities on this initiative.