Bridging The Trust Gap: How Partnering With Patient Advocacy Groups Transforms Clinical Trial Recruitment

In today’s clinical research landscape, one of the most persistent barriers to progress isn’t scientific complexity, it’s patient trust. Despite advances in trial design and technology, poor recruitment continues to hinder the development of new therapies, often rooted in skepticism and uncertainty among potential participants. Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) offer a powerful, often underutilized solution. As trusted voices within specific disease communities, they provide patients with credible information, emotional support, and a sense of belonging that no external organization can replicate.

This article explores how deeper collaboration between researchers and PAGs can bridge the trust gap that undermines recruitment. Drawing on experiences from the Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR), it highlights how authentic partnerships with PAGs that are built on respect and shared purpose can make trial participation more approachable and meaningful. Through real-world examples, including CHDR’s engagement with a Parkinson’s PAG, the piece examines how these alliances foster transparency, enhance outreach, and humanize the clinical trial experience for all involved.