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IBD Clinical Trials Community launched to improve recruitment, education
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation launched a Clinical Trials Community for inflammatory bowel disease to educate patients, caregivers and health care providers about the clinical trial process, its importance and how to improve enrollment, according to a press release.
“These recruitment difficulties cause delays in attaining the critical data needed to move the drug development process forward,” Michael Osso, president and CEO of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, said in the release. “Our Clinical Trials Community will provide education and resources to help overcome these challenges and accelerate treatment options toward approval.”
To determine the barriers to clinical trial participation, the foundation conducted a literature review, landscape analysis and focus groups among the IBD patient population. Analysis revealed an insufficient awareness of available clinical trials and lack of understanding of the process, according to the release. Therefore, CCF created the IBD Clinical Trials Community to improve awareness of clinical trials, provide resources to help people identify and participate in relevant clinical trials, and support patient and provider communication regarding engagement in clinical trials.
According to the release, the Community will launch a new website, which will include an educational video series, patient stories, an IBD clinical trial finder and research updates. The foundation will also implement a clinical trial ambassador program and clinical trial educational tools for foundation programs across the country.
“We know through our research that patients would be willing to participate in clinical trials if they were able to learn more about the purpose and importance of clinical trial research,” Osso said. “With a dedicated, singular resource we are empowering patients to make decisions that are right for them, cultivating a culture of citizen scientists and creating opportunities for patients to support research that affects the whole IBD community.”
Disclosures: Osso is the president and CEO of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.