Rethinking patient recruitment in chronic disease trials through digital and decentralized solutions

Build a more accessible, patient-centered approach to chronic disease trials with insights from The Pulse 2026, our annual global survey of biopharma and biotechnology leaders.

PPD Patient recruitment and DCTs trends report cover

Patient recruitment, retention and access remain among the most persistent challenges in clinical development, especially as trials become more complex and patient expectations continue to evolve. For chronic disease studies, these pressures are often amplified by longer participation timelines, ongoing visits, monitoring requirements and the everyday realities patients face while managing long-term conditions.

This trends report explores how sponsors can rethink recruitment and patient engagement through digital and decentralized strategies that reduce burden, expand access and support stronger trial outcomes.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

Understand the key trends shaping patient recruitment, retention and clinical trial complexity in 2026

Address common barriers to participation in chronic disease trials through more patient-centered trial design

Use digital engagement, decentralized solutions and patient experience data to improve access, reduce burden and support long-term participation

Build a more connected strategy across recruitment, patient support, site engagement and retention

Download the report to explore how digital and decentralized approaches can support more accessible, flexible and patient-centered chronic disease clinical trials.

Improve your chronic disease clinical trials. Download the report.