Real-World Perspectives on Patient Recruitment and Engagement
Halloran Consulting Group · Oct 21, 2025 · 4 min read
At CORE, Halloran Consulting Group and PLG’s event bringing the patient voice into clinical research, the panel “Closing the Gap: Real-World Perspectives on Patient Recruitment & Engagement” brought together pancreatic cancer survivor and trial participant Pranathi Perati, TPRA Founder & President Lance Nickens, and TPRA Vice President of Operations & Strategic Development Anthony Kinevsky. The session was moderated by Trine Stougaard Bak of Pharma IT, a PLG company.
A patient’s path into research
Pranathi, a scientist by training, has lived with pancreatic cancer since 2016 and has taken part in three clinical trials. She described choosing trials together with her oncologist and a care team she trusted — and how that support carried her through the surprises along the way.
Trust at the center
Trust was the thread running through the discussion. TPRA explained how its patient outreach gives sites the tools and materials to stand out in a crowded field while building credibility with the patients they hope to reach.
Site selection through the patient’s eyes
The panel noted that sponsors often put more effort into site selection and start-up than into the patients themselves. They argued that patient geography, nearby competing trials, and how easy a protocol is to follow should all shape where studies are placed — and that site staff engagement and training can make or break enrollment. Pranathi added that for her, the science came first and logistics second, even when it meant traveling across the country, while recognizing that travel, time, and cost can stop many patients.
If you could change one thing
Asked for one change to make tomorrow, the panelists pointed to involving the whole ecosystem early, reaching patients through social media and community groups, balancing quality against quantity of referrals, and sponsors partnering with sites on recruitment strategy from the start.
Summary by TPRA. Source: Halloran Consulting Group, “Real-World Perspectives on Patient Recruitment and Engagement,” October 21, 2025. Read the full article →
