Overcoming Barriers in Incentive Management: Organizational Empowerment Enhancing Patient Engagement in Clinical Research

Milorad Stamenovic Global Project Manager in Clinical Research, Ergomed Clinical Research, Paris, FranceCorrespondence: Milorad Stamenovic, Email [email protected] of Research: Expanding global trial access ensures sustainability by incorporating local contexts and prioritizing patient engagement. This research explores how Organizational Empowerment (OE) and incentive management enhance patient involvement in clinical trials, with Contract Research Organizations (CROs) playing a key role. We propose a paradigm shift based on Grothe-Hammer’s organizational contributorship, where participation replaces formal membership, enabling active decision-making and engagement.Methods: This qualitative research with holistic case study approach explores the role of incentive management in Organizational Empowerment (OE) within Contract Research Organizations (CROs). Through interviews and analysis, it examines the impact of incentive structures on both employees and patients, assessing their effectiveness in aligning organisational goals with patient-centricity principles.Results: A key outcome of the study is the call for a shift in patient roles, proposing that patients transition from non-contributing to contributing members within the organization. The study demonstrates that patient-centered interventions, including logistical and financial support through third-party organizations, can enhance patient retention, engagement, and diversity in clinical trials. These interventions benefit both patients and the organizations by improving trial efficiency and reducing dropout rates. In advancing the field, this research makes a contribution by integrating organizational theory with clinical research management practices, a perspective that has been underexplored. The application of institutional theory to understand regulatory frameworks and their impact on incentive management reveals how external constraints shape organizational behavior.Conclusion: The clinical trial ecosystem relies on collaboration among stakeholders to enhance patient care, requiring a shift toward a patient-centric model for better treatment adherence and outcomes. This study highlights the role of Organizational Empowerment (OE) and incentive management in fostering inclusivity, advocating for contributorship over traditional membership to strengthen stakeholder engagement in clinical research.Keywords: incentive management, organisational empowerment, patient centricity, clinical trials, CRO