Clinical Trials Close to Home: Why Local Access Matters for Patients and Families

For years, clinical trials were typically conducted in large city hospitals or academic medical centers. What that meant for patients was long drives, time off work, and leaving their trusted doctors behind. But today, things are changing. Clinical trials are increasingly available in community practices and local health centers, bringing research to where patients already receive care. There are many reasons why this change is beneficial to patients and local health centers.

Traveling for care can be exhausting, especially for patients managing chronic illness. Having trials available nearby means fewer hours on the road and more time for healing. Families also benefit by spending less time away from work, school, or daily responsibilities.

When trials are offered in local healthcare practices and clinics, patients can often stay connected with their own physicians. That continuity of care is reassuring. It enables doctors who are familiar with the patient’s history to coordinate care with the research team, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.

Historically, people in rural or underrepresented areas have had fewer opportunities to participate in trials. By incorporating research into community practices, more patients from diverse ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles can participate. This leads to more accurate results and treatments that work better for everyone.

Local trials make it easier for family members to be part of the care journey, coming along to appointments, helping with paperwork, or simply being present. That support can make a world of difference for patients. When community practices participate in research, they often gain access to new resources, training, and infrastructure. This doesn’t just benefit trial participants, it can raise the overall quality of care for all patients in the community.

At Circuit Clinical, we believe patients shouldn’t have to choose between cutting-edge care and convenience. By partnering with local physicians and health systems, we enable more people to access trials without having to leave their communities. Clinical trials close to home are more than a convenience—they’re a step toward equity, trust, and better health outcomes for everyone. To learn more about research opportunities at Circuit Clinical, click here www.circuitclinical.com/join.