Case Study 3: Covid-19 and the challenges faced by clinical trial participants
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel was heavily disrupted, peadiatric patients and their families who normally traveled internationally on a weekly basis for their clinical trial study visits faced significant challenges. To ensure the continuity of their participation in the trials, these families needed to temporarily relocate close to the study site. This relocation allowed them to safely and effectively continue their treatments without the need for frequent, high-risk travel during the global crisis.
Background
We provided extensive support to the family, addressing each of their challenges:
Consistent Accommodation: Providing the same accommodation for all families fostered a sense of community and support during their displacement.
Dedicated Contact: Having a dedicated contact at the hotel who understood the situation facilitated smooth communication and problem-solving.
Guaranteed Extensions: Ensuring booking extensions until travel restrictions were lifted provided stability and peace of mind for the families.
Daily Living Allowance: The daily living allowance, negotiated with the sponsor, provided essential financial support to cover living expenses.
Human Touch: Our positive relationship with the aparthotel team culminated in their kind act of providing Christmas decorations and presents, which demonstrated their empathy and care for our families.
Reduced Rates: Securing long-term apartment bookings at a discounted rate provided significant financial benefits for the clinical trial sponsor.
Based on the challenges presented, the primary issues can be summarised as follows:
Urgency and Flexibility: The need for immediate accommodation and flights, coupled with the uncertainty of international travel restrictions, required a flexible and adaptable approach.
Suitable Accommodation: Finding suitable accommodations that met specific criteria (location, facilities, and extensibility) for multiple families was a logistical challenge.
Financial Strain: The inability to work due to displacement caused significant financial hardship for many families.
Understanding the Core Challenges
Key Achievements
Our approach was highly effective in addressing the challenges faced by the families. By securing suitable accommodations, providing financial support, and fostering a sense of community, we were able to alleviate much of the stress and hardship associated with displacement.
Overall Effectiveness
ABOUT OUR CLINICAL TRIAL SUPPORT SERVICE
Our dedicated team of coordinators use their extensive knowledge of rare diseases and experience to support patients and their families when attending worldwide clinical trials. We do this by offering personalised logistics support throughout the clinical trial journey. We listen, understand, find solutions, and treat every patient as an individual
