We are proud to support “Reflections”, an innovative awareness initiative aimed at improving diverse participation within clinical trials, launching on October 13th, 2024. This initiative seeks to bridge gaps in accessibility and awareness, especially among underrepresented populations, by providing potential participants with the tools and resources they need to explore clinical trials with ease. Powered by the TrialX’s AI based clinical trial finder tool, the Reflections initiative offers guided trial searches and a rewrite tool that simplifies clinical trial information, making it easier for potential participants to understand their options. This initiative will drive visitors to the website, launching October 13th, www.BeReflected.org, where they can explore multiple resources to support their journey to trial participation.
What is REFLECTIONS?
Reflections is a grassroots collective of patient advocacy experts, medicine development sponsors, advocacy groups, clinical trial sites, community partners, and communication specialists. Its mission is to sustainably improve diversity in clinical research participation and increase access to trials for all communities. Through awareness, education, and cutting-edge technology, Reflections aims to make the clinical trial process more inclusive and accessible. The primary goals of this initiative are:
1. Raise Awareness: Highlight the importance of diverse representation in clinical trials
2. Provide Education: Offer information on the clinical research process and its impact
3. Connect Patients: Facilitate connections between patients and local clinical research opportunities
4. Address Barriers: Identify and tackle obstacles to participation through system-level ethnography and future service mapping
Why is This Initiative Important?
Patient recruitment in clinical trials has traditionally been fragmented, with sponsors and advocacy groups conducting recruitment efforts on a study-by-study basis, using different technologies and processes. This lack of a universal tracking system makes it difficult to measure the effectiveness of recruitment efforts, especially for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The current landscape sees challenges such as:
- Inefficiency: 95% of patients who respond to recruitment campaigns don’t end up participating in the trials they screen for, and less than 30% attempt again.
- Complexity: Patients often have to navigate multiple websites and confusing information, which can be overwhelming and lead to frustration.
- Lost Opportunities: Even when participants pre-qualify for trials, they may get lost in the referral process, missing out on future trial opportunities.
Reflections addresses these challenges by creating a more seamless, user-friendly experience for participants and supporting the organizations involved in patient recruitment.
TrialX’s role in the REFLECTIONS Initiative
The TrialX clinical trial matching system plays a pivotal role in the Reflections program by enabling individuals to easily find appropriate clinical trials while supporting patient recruitment efforts across various organizations. By connecting participants with trials, the tool enhances efficiency and accessibility for institutions, advocacy groups, vendors, CROs, and sponsors.
Designed to improve transparency and accessibility in clinical research, the TrialX Clinical Trial Finder offers a user-friendly interface that provides detailed information on active trials. It has been leveraged by prominent advocacy groups like The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, and the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. The tool allows users to search and filter trials based on criteria such as medical condition, location, gender, age, and more, across multiple therapeutic areas and study centers globally.
To address the complexities of patient recruitment, TrialX uses AI technology to simplify and rewrite complex terminology into clear, concise language, making clinical trial details more understandable and accessible to broader audiences. The system’s advanced AI-powered matching algorithms continuously scan for trials that align with participants’ profiles, sending notifications when a suitable match is found. Participants can then initiate the pre-screening process to determine eligibility.
For those needing extra guidance, the “Guided Search” feature leads users step-by-step through the trial search process, using personalized questionnaires to help shortlist the most relevant trials.
Exploring Clinical Research Through Art: What to Expect at the Launch
At the heart of the program is a unique public art installation featuring three “containers,” each holding a commissioned artistic work reflecting the unique points of view and personal stories of the artists in a healthcare frame. This exhibition:
1. Meets viewers where they are, using art to express empathy and appreciation of how clinical research has historically been perceived
2. Invites reflection through personal stories and artistic works
3. Highlights the importance of representation in clinical research, giving everyone the opportunity to feel seen
4. Equip participants with information on how to get involved
Reflections is more than just an art exhibit. The comprehensive program includes:
- An educational website with resources on clinical trials and research participation opportunities
- Local events and ongoing community engagement
- Partnerships with healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and local businesses
- Exploration of systemic barriers to participation and development and monitoring of metrics that can show of if we are truly making a difference in the communities we seek to serve
Get involved – Join the Reflections Movement
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, community leader, business owner, or concerned citizen, there’s a place for you in Reflections. Together, we can build a healthier future for all. Attend the launch event in Atlanta on October 13th from 2:00PM–Sunset. The installation will be located in Downtown Atlanta on the corners of Ted Turner Dr SW and Nelson St SW, across from Wild Leap Atlanta. The exhibit will remain in this location for 3 weeks then tour other locations in Atlanta to reach as many people as possible. Together, we can ensure that clinical research represents and benefits all communities.
To register for the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/829079829397649. From October 13th, find out more about our mission and how to participate at https://www.BeReflected.org.
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