Since 2003, Summit Health has assisted pharmaceutical companies and Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) with patient recruitment. Summit Health’s services begin with the design of the health screening process through identification and recruitment of patients.

Rationale for Community-Based Patient Recruitment

Summit Health is able to identify high traffic locations for study candidates who may be at risk for a particular disease or have certain risk factors. Venues may include retail pharmacies, community centers, active living communities, churches, shopping malls, etc. Summit Health offers complete, scalable programs that can be targeted to specific zip codes near clinical study sites. This community-based model provides a consumer-focused approach to recruitment. Additional benefits include:

1. Patient recruitment that is highly effective in influencing individual interest in trial participation
2. Improved targeting of participants for lower failure rates and lower “cost of failure” in studies
3. Improved sponsor relationship with study sites through quality referrals and reduction in administrative time
4. Positive public relations in the community
5. Potential to incorporate study sites into health fairs for informed consent
6. Opportunity to support both patient recruitment and dissemination of information about inline marketed drugs
7. Database development for the sponsor and the study site for future trials if option is selected
   
   

Services Provided

Summit Health’s experience and reputation for quality and integrity are among the reasons clients chose to work with us. Our comprehensive services include the organization, management and execution of community-based screening events to recruit candidates for clinical trials. Our basic services include:

1. Development of screening protocols – Selection on screening and development of protocols to maximize patient identification
   
   
2. Screening site selection – Summit Health selects and contracts with appropriate venues
   
   
3. Screening logistics – Screening staff conduct clinical testing, provide patient education support and make referrals
   
   
4. Program Management – A dedicated Project Manager to supervise the clinical staff
   
   
5. Patient Education – Development of information packets to inform and educate patients about clinical trials
   
   
6. Regulatory compliance – Summit Health complies with all applicable local, state, and federal laws related to the service
   
   
7. Reporting – Data collection and analysis, customized reporting, and creation of electronic data files
   
   
8. Marketing support – Development of customized recruitment materials and incentives
   
   
9. Clinical quality assurance audits – Our QA services include individual site, document, and systems audits