5 Ways Pharmaceutical Call Centers Expedite Patient Recruitment

Lou Shapiro

In this post, I share five ways call centers can expedite and improve their patient recruitment process.




In a previous blog posting we discussed how slow patient recruitment can delay clinical trials. While it is common for a pharmaceutical company to work with a healthcare communications company to reach out to and screen potential patients, I have worked with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to expedite their patient recruitment for clinical trials via dedicated call centers for many years. A pharmaceutical call center can expedite patient trial recruitment numerous ways, and here are five to consider:

1. Media outreach —Pharmaceutical call centers know how to use traditional media channels such as print, radio, and TV advertising to reach appropriate patients. We also know how to work with patient advocacy groups to reach appropriate patients.

2. Skilled operators conduct patient screening - We start by developing a screening tool that is aligned with your study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria. Next our skilled operators screen all patients with the screening tool. A properly developed screening tool quickly eliminates inappropriate patients and dramatically increases patient referrals to study sites, which leads to increased enrollment in studies.

3. Quick patient referrals to study sites - Our call center operators provide “warm transfer” of qualified patients directly to study sites for further evaluation. This immediate transfer increases patient enrollment and retention.

4. On-going patient support and retention - Our call center operators support patients by following up and reminding them of appointments, pre-visit instructions, and to complete patient logs/diaries.

5. Immediate access to information - Our call center operators provide 24/7 access to information and experts who can answer questions on the treatment and its side effects.

Have you utilized a pharmaceutical call center to help with patient recruitment? If so, did you see an increase in patient recruitment? Was it cost-effective? Would you recommend this to others?

Please download a complimentary copy of our latest whitepaper, “Selecting the Right Call Center Partner: Tips for Success.”

For additional information, please visit the PhoneScreen patient recruitment page on our website.


View Blog 

View website for Tunstall AMAC Life Sciences