Conducting clinical trials in a constantly changing health care environment

Abstract

Continuous change and cost containment characterize the current health care system, making conduct of clinical trials and other clinical research difficult. Identification, accrual, and follow-up of patients who move between health care environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and the home is particularly challenging. This article describes a circuit rider approach to patient identification and follow-up that was established by the Communication Sciences and Disorders Clinical Trials Research Group. It also gives suggestions for design of clinical trials in a constantly changing environment.