Clinical Trials: Where the Follow-Up Breaks Down Before the Finish Line

I’m not here to throw shade — just to shine some light. ✨

Clinical trials save lives.I’m living proof of that.

They give people like me a second chance when options run out.But even with all the science and structure behind them, trials still have a deeply human side that doesn’t always get enough attention.

What I’ve learned and what we talk about often at HeartBridge Collective is that connection can start to fade even before a trial ends.

People move on.Coordinators change jobs.Phone numbers don’t get updated.

And suddenly, the familiar voices that helped you through the hardest parts are gone.You’re still in the trial but it can start to feel like you’re walking it alone.

It’s not usually intentional; it’s just how the system is built.Clinical trials are designed to track data not to maintain relationships.

When staff turnover happens or communication slows down, patients can quietly slip through the cracks long before the study officially closes.

Here’s what’s been found:

👉 Long-term follow-up and retention can drop by 20–40% after the first year.

👉 When sites or coordinators change, patients often lose continuity in care and are left trying to hold things together on their own.

👉 Even while a trial is still active, contact and clarity can fade, leaving patients unsure who to reach or where to turn.

That’s not a small problem it’s a trust problem.And trust is what keeps patients engaged, hopeful, and confident enough to keep showing up.

At HeartBridge Collective, we’re working to change that helping patients, caregivers, and clinical teams stay connected from the first visit to the final follow-up.

Because if clinical trials are the bridge between hope and innovation, then patients are the foundation that holds that bridge up.

Without patients, there’s no data, no progress, and no new breakthroughs, just ideas waiting for a heartbeat to bring them to life.

Let’s make sure no one feels forgotten before the finish line. 💙

If we want better retention, we need stronger relationships.Partnership is how real progress happens.

Data can tell the story, but only people can make it real.It’s time to rebuild clinical trials around connection, communication, and care.

Help close the gap between innovation and lived experience.

💙 Collaborate with HeartBridge Collective.

#HeartBridgeCollective #PatientVoice #ClinicalTrials #Heart2HeartTalk #TricuspidValveMiracle #HospiceSurvivor #BridgeTheGap #ResearchMatters #PatientEngagement