Patient experience data as a methodological and strategic innovation in clinical trial design

Patient experience data (PED) are increasingly recognised as a methodological and strategic innovation in drug development, yet their implementation in clinical trial design remains inconsistent. Drawing on a structured literature review and multistakeholder interviews, this analysis examines how PED inform endpoint decision-making. Although clinical development is shifting towards more patient-informed measures, challenges persist due to limited standardisation, validation, methodological gaps and operational constraints. Opportunities include early patient involvement, validated disease-specific measures, consensus-based core outcome sets and clearer regulatory guidance, enabling meaningful and structured PED implementation that strengthens evidence generation, reduces development risk and improves trial efficiency and real-world relevance.

Contributors

Alice Vanneste, Axelle Jankelevitch, Linda Lukeba, Peter Sinnaeve, Isabelle Huys, Tom Adriaenssens

Publication

Journal: Drug Discovery Today
Volume: 31
Issue: 5
Pages: -
Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104775

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Completed
Date:
Funding source(s):


Health Area

Disease Category:

Disease Name: N/A

Target Population

Age Range: Unknown

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention: Drug

Stakeholders Involved

- Clinical experts
- Patient/ support group representatives
- Policy makers
- Researchers

Study Type

- Commentary

Method(s)

- Interview
- Literature review

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