Despite these consequences, nearly 80% of sites miss the enrollment target quoted at feasibility[1].
But at Sequoia Clinical Research, strong enrollment performance is foundational to how we operate.
What separates sites that hit their number comes down to four things: enrollment estimates grounded in real results, screening that identifies the optimal patient population, a positive experience for every participant, and the operational experience to deliver it.
Here’s what that looks like in practice at Sequoia Clinical Research.
Sequoia Clinical Research’s patient population database and engaged staff help deliver enrollment success, along with PIs who are active in their communities and deeply understand patient needs in the specific therapeutic area they cover.
With this foundation in place, our recruiting team can begin curating the right patient population and standing up resources as soon as we earn a study…and well before enrollment opens.
In one of our recent vaccine studies, the sponsor needed 20 patients across two cohorts in just three days. We doubled the target and filled both cohorts on day one, leading the sponsor to ask for additional patients beyond the original protocol.
Sequoia Clinical Research trains staff to bring real clinical insight to every part of the intake call, going beyond a standard checklist. We spend time with the study team closely reviewing study design and inclusion and exclusion criteria before recruiting starts, establishing a clear and detailed understanding of the optimal patient profile.
Once recruitment is underway, that same rigor carries through screening. For example, if a patient mentions a medication, staff ask why they’re taking it, understanding the patient history instead of just checking a box. This builds the most complete picture of the patient before deciding if they’re a fit, and prevents costly problems once the study starts.
A diligent pre-screen isn’t only about finding the right patients; it’s also about delivering a positive experience for every patient. We always have the same conversation with prospective participants, whether or not they end up enrolling. Staff are transparent about why they’re asking personal medical questions, while weighing three things at once: whether the person wants to participate, their safety, and the integrity of the study data.
But a phone screen doesn’t always provide the full picture. Sometimes safety or efficacy concerns arise during an in-person visit. Our team always sets this expectation upfront rather than treating it as a surprise later. Participants who understand what they signed up for and who are treated with respect and transparency throughout the process are less likely to disengage mid-study.
It’s exactly this consistency that protects the quality of the trial population and ultimately the patient’s experience, too.
With a shared database of 115,000 research subjects and more than 65,000 active charts, Sequoia Clinical Research has direct access to a comprehensive patient population for sponsors. This is backed by an operating model including centralized functions that scale with every new site, so coordinators can focus on patients instead of administrative and regulatory work.
Having the right systems in place to run studies also lets us learn over time. What’s learned screening for one study, down to specifics like which medications or dosages came up more than expected, gets logged and used to clarify screening criteria for the next study.
That’s what lets Sequoia Clinical Research keep its promise as it grows: commit to a number, hit it, and often exceed it.
Ready to see what’s actually behind the number? Let’s chat.
[1] https://www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com/view/clinical-trials-site-networks-success