Improving clinical trial outcomes with the power of patient feedback

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) understand the significant value that patient involvement can contribute to their work. CRUK’s Centre for Drug Development (CDD) look to routinely partner with people affected by cancer in the way they plan, conduct and share results from their trials. They seek to better understand the experiences and needs of patients, allowing them to design clinical trials that are better suited to their patients and to optimise the trial information they provide.

“We partner with Stitch to transform the experience of patients on our clinical trials. By hearing directly from patients, and using their feedback when designing clinical trials, we can improve how they’re run and get more new therapeutics to people who need them.”
– Dr Stephen Nabarro, Director of Drug Development

As the key audience for the app, patients have been involved in its co-creation, along with Stitch and the Centre for Drug Development. Over 40 members of CRUK’s patient involvement networks and panels took part in consultations and user testing.

The response from patients was overwhelmingly positive, and their feedback has directly led to key changes being made to the app, including adding easy ways to contact CRUK’s nurses to support patients emotionally, and adding more information about why they’re being asked for feedback on their trial and what will happen to the feedback they give.

Patients gave positive feedback on the support the platform offered, and have submitted many surveys. Sites found Stitch easy to use, and saw the benefit to their patients. CRUK were happy with the implementation process and have estimated a positive ROI.