Optimizing Diversity: A Site-Level Strategy for Clinical Trials

How sites can lead the charge in improving diversity and inclusion to improve clinical trials.?

As regulatory agencies push for diversity action plans, oncology trial sites are pivotal in driving more inclusive, representative clinical trials. By focusing on community engagement, protocol flexibility, and technology adoption, sites can make significant strides toward improving diversity in patient recruitment and retention.?

"Sites need to reach beyond their usual recruitment pools," says Jane Bentley, VP of Oncology Therapeutic Strategy at Syneos Health. Partnering with local communities and advocacy groups is key to ensuring trials better reflect real-world populations.?

One impactful area is re-evaluating protocols. Juliette Roberts, Global Head of Oncology Therapeutic Strategy, encourages sites to question inclusion and exclusion criteria that may unintentionally block diverse participation. Working with sponsors to adjust these barriers ensures broader representation without sacrificing scientific integrity.?

Technology also plays a crucial role. Sites can use AI tools to scan electronic medical records, identify diverse candidates, and deploy patient concierge services to reduce logistical barriers like transportation and scheduling — issues that often disproportionately affect underrepresented groups.?

Building cultural competency is another essential step. Ensuring that patients feel respected, supported, and understood can have a lasting impact on recruitment and retention. Flexible scheduling, caregiver involvement, and multilingual resources help make trials more accessible and inclusive.?

Collaboration between sites, sponsors, and CROs is critical. Regular feedback, patient surveys, and strong partnerships ensure that diversity initiatives evolve and improve over time. As Bentley notes, “Diversity must become part of the site’s DNA.”?

Read the full blog post or listen to the podcast episode for more insights on site-level strategies to enhance diversity in clinical trials.?

Contributors?

Nick Kenny, Chief Scientific Officer??

Jane Bentley, VP, Oncology Therapeutic Strategy & Innovation?

Juliette Roberts, VP, Global Head, Oncology Therapeutic Strategy & Innovation?

Kelli Defenbaugh, Patient Recruitment Liaison, Patient Recruitment and Retention Management?

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