Lower Attrition Rates = Trials Completed Sooner 

Clinical trials fall behind schedule long before deadlines are missed. 

Attrition builds gradually as patients encounter repeated barriers to participation. In traditional trial models, those barriers are often logistical- travel distance, time away from work or family, and the burden of returning to unfamiliar sites over the course of a study. Community-based clinical trials address this at the level of execution. 

By placing trial sites within local communities, CBCTs reduce the need for long-distance travel and make visits easier to complete. Visits can also take place in flexible settings such as the patient’s home, workplace, or community locations like churches and community centers, helping patients stay consistent without significant disruption, directly reducing one of the primary drivers of dropout. 

There is also a second, equally important factor: continuity. Patients are more likely to remain engaged when interactions are consistent and grounded in familiar settings. CBCT site teams operate within the communities they serve, supporting clearer communication and more reliable follow-up throughout the study. 

The impact is straightforward- fewer missed visits, fewer dropouts, and timelines that are easier to maintain.  

Retention doesn’t operate independently- it reflects how manageable participation is throughout a study. When that burden is reduced, patients stay engaged, and trials stay on track. 

Learn how reducing burden supports the full Triple Effect 👉 The Triple Effect of Community-Based Clinical Trials - EmVenio