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blog May 30, 2019

Navigating Clinical Trials

Harvard Business Review reports that 26% of patients who face chronic or serious conditions have a low understanding of how to navigate the healthcare system. Similar to a complex healthcare system, the clinical trial process can be overwhelming to prospective research participants.  Javara believes there is a solution, the Clinical Trial Navigator (CTN). 

Historically, this role has been referred to as a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC). The CRC represents an integral part of the clinical trial process, working directly with Physician Investigators to conduct clinical trials in accordance with regulations, a study protocol and standard operating procedures. As part of the protocol, the CRC is expected to ensure consistency and accuracy in the data collected from each clinical trial participant.

While a CTN resembles a CRC, the role of a CTN is expanded to incorporate responsibilities of seamless research integration with clinical care to ensure a quality experience for the patient and the care team that compliments the patient’s health needs. Whether it is facilitating health education, discussing the study with the patient’s caregiver, or providing transportation logistics through Uber Health, the goal of the CTN is to address the needs of each research participant, while complying with the clinical trial protocol and regulations.  By embedding this Javara professional within clinics and health care organizations, appropriate clinical trial offerings and resources are available and accessible to patients and physicians at just the right time.

CTNs are emerging as important resources and contributors within value-based health organizations and they are creating shared value for all stakeholders—the patient, the providers, the healthcare organization and the drug development ecosystem.   Skilled and meticulous in their work, the CTNs are charged with ensuring all relevant data is charted or shared with the patient’s care team to support high quality patient-centered care. Amy Reyna, a Clinical Trial Navigator for Javara in Houston, Texas, says, “Building a relationship with research participants as they journey through the clinical trial process can be very rewarding. When I see the positive impact on their knowledge and understanding of their health, as well as the realization of their impact for the greater good, there is a greater connectivity between us through the trial and beyond.”


“Since working with the Clinical Trial Navigators from Javara, the research experience has become more enjoyable for me and my patients. The Clinical Trial Navigators at my office have been able to connect with patients on a deeper level and aide them on the road to better health,” says Dr. Rakesh Patel, an experienced Physician Investigator working with Javara in Houston, Texas.

Physician Investigators across the Javara footprint enjoy working with Clinical Trial Navigators because they are committed to the safety of clinical research patients,  high quality work and accurate data delivery for the trial, while aligning with population health needs and ensuring the patient experience is a positive one.  “Since working with the Clinical Trial Navigators from Javara, the research experience has become more enjoyable for me and my patients. The Clinical Trial Navigators at my office have been able to connect with patients on a deeper level and aide them on the road to better health,” says Dr. Rakesh Patel, an experienced Physician Investigator working with Javara in Houston, Texas.  Through the work of the CTN within the healthcare system, the patient care and experience are enhanced, leading to improved outcomes for the patient and reduced costs associated with patient care.