PATIENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Redefine rapid recruitment and optimal retention

Complex protocols and demands for faster results are putting new pressures on clinical trial sponsors. IQVIA Patient Recruitment and Retention harnesses the power of IQVIA Connected Intelligence™ to offer custom-designed solutions for patient-focused trials that accelerate enrollment, reduce site and patient burden, and deliver trials on time and budget. 

From rare disease to large-scale enrollment: Recruitment that scales with your needs

Whether you're targeting a rare disease population or launching a global Phase III trial, IQVIA's Patient Recruitment Solutions deliver the precision and scalability needed to meet your enrollment goals. Our approach combines traditional site-based recruitment, omnichannel engagement, and the expertise of Site Enrollment and Engagement Leads—trusted study ambassadors who support recruitment efforts at the site level—to accelerate enrollment and enhance the patient experience.

By leveraging centralized recruitment strategies, patient engagement technologies, customizable site support, and flexible patient- and site-facing materials, sponsors can effectively reach, recruit, and retain patients across geographies and studies of any size.

IQVIA's recruitment engine doesn't just find patients—it connects eligible patients with clinical trials that matter.

Bringing precision to patient recruitment

IQVIA Omnichannel Recruitment helps sponsors identify and engage the right patients using artificial intelligence trained on real-world healthcare data. By analyzing large-scale clinical and consumer datasets, our approach targets outreach to patients most likely to meet study criteria and participate in a trial. Protocol-specific models continuously optimize recruitment throughout enrollment using privacy-protected data, extending reach beyond traditional site networks.

The result is more efficient recruitment, reduced burden on sites, and scalable patient engagement that supports representative enrollment across studies of any size.

Turn recruitment strategy into site‑level execution

Accelerate patient enrollment with IQVIA's Site Enrollment & Engagement Leads—trusted site-level ambassadors who extend site capacity, strengthen recruitment execution, and improve enrollment performance.

  • Accelerate enrollment through hands on execution - From chart review and prescreening to referral outreach and patient pathway mapping, Site Enrollment & Engagement Leads actively identify and engage patients to help keep studies on track and enrollment moving forward.
  • Reduce site burden and improve performance - By managing time-intensive recruitment and patient engagement activities, Site Enrollment & Engagement Leads enable site teams to focus on clinical delivery while maintaining momentum and minimizing delays.
  • Deliver consistent results with local expertise - In-market Site Enrollment & Engagement Leads bring regional knowledge of patient pathways, regulatory requirements, and referral networks. They adapt recruitment strategies to the unique needs of each site, improving efficiency, predictability, and study performance across global programs.

Inclusive trials. Better outcomes.

Representation in clinical research

IQVIA helps sponsors improve representation in clinical trials by engaging participants who reflect the populations affected by disease. Leveraging real-world data, advanced analytics, and deep operational expertise, we design and execute recruitment strategies that expand access, support more representative enrollment, and strengthen the evidence generated through clinical research.

We develop targeted approaches to reach underserved and hard-to-reach populations, including geographically dispersed communities, racial and ethnic minority groups, and diverse socioeconomic populations—helping sponsors broaden participation and advance more inclusive research.

Patient education that builds understanding—and confidence

We help sponsors educate and empower patients through evidence-based content, AI-informed creative, and intuitive digital experiences, enabling trial participants to make informed decisions and remain engaged throughout the study.

  • Capture authentic patient perspectives through detailed personas, journey mapping, patient advisory boards, qualitative research, and survey insights. These real-world perspectives inform messaging, educational content, and study design, helping ensure relevance and engagement at every stage.
  • Translate insights into materials that patients and sites actually use, including lay summaries, visit guides, and plain-language educational resources. By making complex clinical information easier to understand, we help improve patient comprehension, support informed participation, and strengthen retention.

Gamification and digital engagement that strengthen participation

IQVIA combines gamified learning, digital engagement tools, plain-language eConsent, and in-app education to make trial participation simpler, more engaging, and more rewarding. Continuous patient feedback helps refine the experience in real time, supporting participant understanding and ongoing engagement throughout the study.

  • Digital Toolkits: Interactive and print materials, including brochures, visit guides, FAQs, checklists, and patient training videos and animations that help participants navigate the trial journey.
  • Informed Consent (ICF) & eConsent: Plain-language content, multimedia tools, and accessibility features designed to improve understanding, support informed decision-making, and reduce errors.
  • Gamified Engagement: Study hub activities, badges, reminders, surveys, and simple tasks that encourage participation and help keep patients on track throughout the study.
  • Feedback Loops: Short surveys and questionnaires that capture patient feedback, identify potential barriers early, and inform ongoing engagement strategies.
  • Patient Data Sharing: Study-specific options for sharing relevant patient data and insights, customized to protocol and participant needs.

Proven impact. Measurable results.

Our integrated recruitment and engagement strategies deliver real outcomes—accelerating enrollment, reducing site burden, and improving representation across studies of every size.

Reduction in Non-Enrolling Sites
57%

Reduction in non-enrolling sites in projects supported with robust Patient Recruitment scope

Higher Enrollment Rate
114%

Higher patient enrollment at sites supported by Digital Omni-channel Recruitment vs non-supported sites

Community-based Patients Engaged
37%

Community-based patient engagement from diverse and under-represented populations into DCT studies using direct-to-patient enrolment methods

Execution at the site not just support

Site Enrollment & Engagement Leads drive recruitment execution and site performance in real time.

Lifecycle coverage: from activation readiness through sustained study conduct

Site Enrollment & Engagement leads support sites from start‑up through study delivery helping prepare for enrollment, manage recruitment, address barriers, and keep sponsors and sites aligned.

Tailored, local execution not a one‑size‑fits‑all playbook

Site Enrollment & Engagement leads adapt support site by site based on protocol needs and local realities, leveraging in‑country knowledge of language, patient pathways, and regulatory considerations, including privacy requirements.

Complementary to CRAs: clear separation of focus

Site Enrollment & Engagement leads are dedicated to supporting your protocol or set of protocols. They focus on site engagement and patient recruitment, helping sites operate more efficiently and maintain momentum throughout the study.

Make site performance more predictable

When studies face complex protocols, competitive landscapes, or enrollment challenges, Site Enrollment & Engagement leads provide the focused, site‑level support needed to keep research moving forward.

Patient Recruitment & Enablement

The IQVIA Difference

Sponsors can improve patient recruitment by combining targeted patient outreach with dedicated site support that reduces the operational burden placed on study teams.

IQVIA combines patient recruitment strategies with site-focused support services that help sites manage recruitment activities while maintaining focus on study delivery.

Explore Best Practices for Site Collaboration

The most effective recruitment strategies use study-specific patient identification methods and targeted engagement approaches to reach individuals who may be eligible to participate.

IQVIA uses protocol-specific patient models and healthcare data to help identify potentially eligible participants. These models are paired with targeted outreach strategies that engage patients most likely to meet study criteria.

Explore Omnichannel Recruitment

Sponsors can expand recruitment reach by combining site-based enrollment efforts with digital engagement strategies. This approach can extend further through community and referral-based outreach that connects with patients outside traditional site networks.

IQVIA supports recruitment beyond traditional site populations through omnichannel engagement and broad patient outreach capabilities designed to connect eligible participants with clinical trials.

Explore Omnichannel Recruitment

Recruitment performance can improve when sites receive dedicated support to identify barriers and engage patients more effectively. This support also helps maintain enrollment momentum throughout the study.

IQVIA Site Enrollment & Engagement Leads work directly with sites to support recruitment planning and patient engagement activities. They also provide ongoing support throughout enrollment execution to help keep studies on track.

Discover the Site Enrollment and Engagement Lead Factsheet

Complex studies often benefit from tailored recruitment execution that adapts to local site needs and patient pathways. This execution also needs to account for the specific challenges unique to each individual study.

IQVIA provides site-level recruitment support that is customized to protocol requirements and local study conditions to help sites navigate enrollment challenges.

Discover the Site Enrollment and Engagement Lead Factsheet

Patient engagement and education can improve understanding of trial participation and help maintain involvement throughout the study journey.

IQVIA incorporates patient education and engagement strategies to support recruitment and participation. These are paired with connected technologies that help support retention objectives throughout the study.

Read Planning to Engage: A Holistic Approach to Patient Inclusion

Activating Patient Participation in Clinical Trials

Key ways to humanize trial design, through patient and site engagement strategies

Planning to Engage: A Holistic Approach to Patient Inclusion

IQVIA's Patient Engagement Framework supports comprehensive and consistent assessment and planning for the inclusion of patient needs and preferences.

Enhancing Clinical Trials: Best Practices for Site Collaboration

Strategies for improving study engagement and support

The Realities of Patient Recruitment and Retention

Patient recruitment has become one of the most challenging aspects of conducting clinical trials.

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