A Novel Collaborative Approach to Building Better Clinical Trials: New Insights From a Patient Engagement Workshop to Propel Patient-Centricity Forward

Background: (1) A growing number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations are engaging patients, their support networks, and clinical trial site staff at various touchpoints along the clinical research development spectrum to solicit feedback on how to reduce the burden of clinical trial participation and administration. (2) However, many organizations are still evaluating how to best implement such engagement initiatives in a manner that will evoke meaningful, sustainable results and change. Methods: In an effort to support meaningful engagement in a novel way, Janssen organized a 2-day innovative workshop designed to promote collaboration and foster mutual understanding among a cross-functional group of clinical research stakeholders. Over the course of the workshop, patients, sponsor team members, and clinical trial site staff each leveraged their unique experiences to address the challenges of today’s clinical trials, and collectively envision the ideal clinical trial of the future. Results: The workshop design created a level playing field for the stakeholders to interact with one another as partners with the shared goal of building better clinical trials. A significant number of transformative ideas were generated as a result of the innovative workshop exercises. Participants agreed that future clinical trials must be convenient and customizable and truly put the patient at the center of research. Conclusion: Creating a comfortable atmosphere and engaging environment for patients, site staff, and pharmaceutical companies to discuss current challenges of clinical trial participation and potential solutions together as partners in real time is critical and has proven to be a valuable novel engagement option for other organizations to consider adopting.