In a significant shift towards more patient-centric clinical research, mobile nurse visits are emerging as a powerful tool for improving trial outcomes and accessibility. A 2024 collaborative survey between GlobalData and PCM Trials, involving 100 industry professionals, has revealed compelling evidence supporting the integration of mobile nursing services in clinical trials.
Patient Retention and Protocol Compliance
The survey findings demonstrate that mobile nurse visits significantly enhance trial effectiveness, with an overwhelming 91% of respondents reporting improved patient retention. This improvement stems from reducing the logistical burden on participants by bringing clinical trial procedures directly to their homes or preferred locations.
"Since clinical trials are often several stages, home visits can help with retention," explains Jenifer Ngo Waldrop, Executive Director of the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition. "By having someone come to you or checking in virtually, this would adhere closer to trial protocol and align it with the daily life of the patient."
Thomas M Tremblay RN, BSN, Vice President of Clinical Development at Hallux Inc., emphasizes the potential impact on protocol compliance: "By decreasing the burden on study subjects by allowing follow-up visits that do not require the investigator and are within the scope of practice for registered nurses and nurse practitioners, protocol compliance could be greatly improved."
Expanding Access and Diversity
The survey highlights mobile nurse visits as a promising solution for increasing trial diversity, with 58% of respondents citing improved diversity outcomes. This approach particularly benefits:
- Elderly populations (94% of respondents)
- Rare disease patients (66% of respondents)
- Racial and ethnic minorities (57% of respondents)
The data suggests tangible benefits for geriatric patient enrollment, with studies utilizing mobile visits showing reduced enrollment periods by an average of 6.18 months and shorter trial durations by 10.97 months compared to traditional site-based studies.
Site Impact and Implementation
Beyond patient benefits, mobile nurse visits also address operational challenges at clinical sites. Seventy-six percent of respondents identified reduced site burden as a key advantage, offering relief to often overwhelmed clinical facilities.
The implementation success rate is particularly noteworthy, with 97.5% of professionals who have utilized mobile nurse services reporting that these services effectively met their trial objectives. This high satisfaction rate suggests that mobile nursing services could become a standard component of clinical trial design across various therapeutic areas.
Therapeutic Applications
The survey revealed no clear preference for specific therapeutic areas, suggesting broad applicability across different medical conditions. This versatility indicates that mobile nurse visits could potentially revolutionize trial conduct across multiple disease categories, expanding the reach and effectiveness of clinical research.
The shift toward community-based research models, supported by GCP-trained registered nurses, represents a significant evolution in clinical trial methodology. As the industry continues to prioritize patient-centric approaches, mobile nurse visits emerge as a valuable tool for enhancing trial participation, improving data quality, and advancing medical research.
