Referring your patients into clinical trials

Why should you refer your patients?

The speed of research is accelerating. So is the need for your help.

Reaching the full potential in clinical research would not be possible without the dedication and involvement of the healthcare community, as well as the altruism and commitment of patient volunteers. 

Advances in science and technology have greatly expanded opportunities to conduct clinical research for more disease states and more targeted treatments.

Since 2000, there has been a 46-fold increase in the number of clinical trials registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov database (from 5,627 trials in 2000 to 261,227 trials in 2017). Of these trials, 70% are interventional – aimed to test a potential new drug, medical device, or surgical procedure – while the rest (30%) followed an observational research design or an expanded access pathway. In an observational research trial, unlike in an interventional clinical trial, participants will not receive any intervention (potential new drug, device or medical procedure) by the investigator. Instead, investigators observe trial participants and evaluate health outcomes in usual clinical practice. An expanded access pathway refers to the use of a potential new drug or medical device outside of a clinical trial.

These efforts create an ever-expanding need for the healthcare community to participate.

How to refer your patients into a clinical trial

Most drugs available on the market received approval based on clinical trials involving thousands of patients. Annually, in the United States and England, more than 2.5 million patients volunteer to take part in clinical trials. But the path for patients to get involved is not always easy to find.

Numerous patients decide to volunteer for clinical trials based on the information provided by their physician. As a healthcare professional, you can encourage patients’ involvement by increasing their awareness about clinical trials, educating them on the potential benefits and risks of participation, and emphasizing the contribution of clinical trials to the advancement of medical knowledge. 

There is a tremendous opportunity for the healthcare professional community to help connect patients with appropriate trials.

Finding clinical trial information to share with patients

Search this site for IQVIA-managed clinical trials, or visit ClinicalTrials.gov for a listing of all clinical trials.

• Baer AR, Michaels M, Good MJ, et al. Engaging referring physicians in the clinical trial process. J Oncol Pract. 2012;8:e8–e10.
• Califf RM, DeMets DL. Principles from clinical trials relevant to clinical practice: Part II. Circulation. 2002;106:1172-1175.
• Institute of Medicine (US) Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation. The state of clinical research in the United States: an overview. In:Transforming Clinical Research in the United States: Challenges and Opportunities: Workshop Summary. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2010.
• National Institute for Health Research, Clinical Research Network. Research delivery in the NHS, 2016-2017.
• US Food and Drug Administration. Expanded access (compassionate use).
• US National Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov website. Learn about clinical studies.
• US National Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov website. Trends, charts, and maps.