Another good takeaway from the recent C3 Summit was about the practice of embedded interviews for gathering qualitative data regarding a patient’s experience of participating in a clinical trial.

Alongside the data collected against the desired endpoints and outcomes for the trial, this kind of information is useful for understanding people’s experience of their condition, and elements of trial participation that may affect a trial’s effectiveness.

The interviews can be performed at various stages – such as prior to trial participation, at regular intervals while in the trial, and an exit interview regarding the overall experience the patient had.

The FDA is moving toward guidance that incorporates ongoing interviews as a standard part of the trial process, and the industry as a whole is paying more attention to the patient experience while taking part.

Which can only be a good thing for helping improve recruitment and retention rates for current and future trials.