According to recent research, endocrine disorders are more common in racial and ethnic minorities in the US.1 For example, 7.1% of non-Hispanic white Americans have diagnosed diabetes, compared to 11.8% of Hispanic Americans, 12.6% of non-Hispanic black Americans, and 16.1% of Native Americans and Alaskan natives.1 Though there are many possible reasons for these disparities, data suggest that they’re largely due to the problems American people of racial and ethnic minorities have accessing preventive care and treatment.1
Engaging patients in their care has been shown to improve health outcomes, and involving patients in treatment and medication creation via clinical research participation is a very effective way to better engage them in their care.2 However, the Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino research participation rate is often as low as just 10.6%.3
If we want to improve endocrine-related outcomes for underserved communities, we must first engage them in endocrinology research. How? Through Elligo Health Research’s optimized trial model.
Optimized Trials Improve Patient Identification
While the traditional clinical trial enrollment process can be effective, it does not easily support patient identification based on demographics such as race, ethnicity, geography, or disease severity. Elligo’s optimized trials, however, use HIPAA-compliant EHR data and AI-powered analytics to target and engage with specific patient groups. First, our experts use proprietary AI technology to search an abundance of EHR data from hospitals, major health systems, and healthcare-based sites, identifying previously untapped patients. We then carefully review each identified patient’s medical records to parse out only those with the right clinical picture for the trial.
With optimized trials, you can select the most ideal and diverse patients for your trial before screening.
Optimized Trials Enable a Patient-Centric Approach to Study Execution
Many minority groups are unable and/or unwilling to participate in clinical trials because they live far away from research sites, are uncomfortable or untrusting of researchers from outside their communities, or simply aren’t aware of research opportunities. Optimized trials solve these issues by running virtual and hybrid trials through Elligo’s Healthcare-First research network.
Healthcare-First sites are hospitals, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities where patients routinely seek care that have added research into their practice with comprehensive infrastructure, training, and technology, all supported by Elligo Health Research®. Because they allow patients to participate with their trusted physicians and in their local communities, Healthcare-First sites make research participation more accessible and more attractive. After all, engaging with patients in their communities is one of the most effective methods for increasing clinical trial diversity.4
Diversify Your Endocrinology Clinical Trial Enrollment With Elligo
Unlike other research models that try to fit patient needs into a trial, our optimized trials start with the patients to enhance identification, engagement, and execution for the benefit of everyone involved.
Contact us today to explore how we can optimize your endocrinology research and, ultimately, bring better care to traditionally underserved populations.
References
- Golden, S.H., et al. Health Disparities in Endocrine Disorders: Biological, Clinical, and Nonclinical Factors—An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 2012 Sept.
- Krist, A.H., et al. Engaging patients in decision-making and behavior change to promote prevention. Stud Health Technol Inform. Published 2017.
- Flores, L.E., et al. Assessment of the Inclusion of Racial/Ethnic Minority, Female, and Older Individuals in Vaccine Clinical Trials. JAMA Netw Open. Published 2021 Feb. 19.
- Igwe, J.K., et al. Opportunities to Increase Science of Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials: Equity and a Lack of a Control. Journal of the American Heart Association. Published 2023 Dec. 18.