The power of virtual trials: Overcoming geographical boundaries

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Professor Yan Yiannakou talks to Professor Allan Gaw about Relieve IBS-D which was one of the one of the UK’s first fully virtual, intervention trials.

Professor Yiannakou recounts why the trial transitioned from a site-based trial to a virtual version, pointing to geographical exclusion as the biggest barrier to recruitment, even with 28 sites open across the UK. The virtual trial generated overwhelming interest leading to rapid recruitment. However, Yan is quick to zoom in on the logistics delivering the trial, explaining why biggest challenge of the virtual approach was having the clinical and administrative capacity to screen and enrol eligible patients.

This podcast is part of our 'Perspectives from the Pandemic' series looking at the delivery of Complex and Innovative Design (CID) trials in the COVID-19 pandemic. You can access the full series of #ComplexInnovativeDesign trial podcasts on our website: www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/delivering-complex-and-innovative-trials-podcast-collection/29517

To find out more about how the NIHR supports complex and innovative design trials visit: www.nihr.ac.uk/innovative-trials