Future Trials: Flu Outreach, Multilingual Consent, Stroke & Cancer MH

Last winter, Maria — a bilingual community health worker — watched a line of housebound seniors shuffle into her clinic for flu shots. Many had never been invited to a trial or asked about vaccine studies because language, access, and trust were barriers. Maria used targeted outreach for flu-season underserved groups: text reminders in Spanish, rides arranged through a local church, and a tablet with eConsent in the patient’s preferred language. One neighbor signed up for a vaccine sub-study that later offered follow-up by phone, a small bridge into research that felt humane rather than extractive.

Technology at the bedside and at the table

The story of Maria shows how technology integration can change outreach from cold calls to meaningful invitations. Modern clinical trial platforms and EHR-triggered alerts help sites identify patients who might benefit from studies, while eConsent workflows let teams implement multilingual consent workflows for diverse patients. By 2023, industry surveys showed more than half of sponsors were adopting decentralized elements — telehealth visits, remote monitoring, and digital consent — to improve access for underrepresented groups.

Case study: A community-centered flu outreach pilot

A pilot in a midwestern city partnered the local health department with members of Unidos en Salud and the Cancer Support Community to map neighborhoods with low vaccination and research participation rates. The team combined targeted outreach for flu-season underserved groups with community ambassadors, SMS reminders, and an easy-to-navigate consent portal in three languages. Enrollment rose, and participants reported feeling more respected and informed about what research would mean for them.

Designing trials after stroke — inclusively

Inclusive trial design for post-stroke rehabilitation must consider mobility, cognition, and caregiver involvement. One recent trial adapted therapy modules to home settings, used simple wearables to track arm movement, and offered caregiver training sessions. Patient advocates from the American Stroke Association and their members shaped protocol timelines so visits didn’t conflict with rehabilitation schedules. The result: better retention and data that reflected real-world recovery.

Mental health as a primary endpoint in cancer research

Integrating mental health screening in cancer trials is no longer optional. Roughly one-third of cancer patients report depressive or anxious symptoms during treatment; trials that screen with brief tools like PHQ-9 and provide referrals see improved retention and participant wellbeing. In one oncology study, automatic screening and a warm handoff to a social worker — coordinated through the trial platform — reduced missed visits and built trust with participants and advocacy organizations like the Cancer Support Community.

"We asked to be seen as whole people, not just data points," said a survivor who joined a trial after her support group helped translate materials.

• Patient advocacy organizations and their members — from stroke survivor networks to NAMI chapters — are essential partners in recruitment and protocol design
• Digital tools can lower barriers when they’re implemented with cultural humility and community feedback

1. Map your underserved populations and partner with local advocacy groups for co-designed outreach
2. Implement multilingual consent workflows for diverse patients using tested eConsent templates
3. Build inclusive trial design elements for post-stroke rehabilitation: home visits, caregiver training, and simple wearables
4. Integrate mental health screening in cancer trials with clear referral pathways and support
5. Use trial discovery tools to connect eligible patients — platforms like ClinConnect are making it easier for patients to find trials that match their specific needs

The future of trials feels less like a lab experiment and more like community medicine: technology and humanity working together so participation is informed, accessible, and relevant to people’s lives.