Article written by Dave King.
Since its launch in 2023, Q-Centrix’s Research Network has rapidly transformed opportunities for hospitals and patients nationwide to participate in clinical research. The initiative—spearheaded by Q-Centrix, a leading clinical data management firm—connects healthcare providers with sponsored study opportunities while giving life sciences companies a better route to diverse patient populations.
Q-Centrix’s decision to establish this network was driven by a critical issue in the clinical research field: insufficient trial enrollment. According to Victor Wang, Senior Vice President of Data & Research at Q-Centrix, “Two-thirds of all clinical trials fail to enroll enough patients for an effective study.” This shortfall disproportionately affects underrepresented communities, limiting both patient access to new treatments and the diversity of clinical research data.
Bringing Research to Underserved Communities
With more than 1,200 hospital and health system partners, Q-Centrix saw a chance to tackle this gap head-on. The Research Network seeks to extend clinical trial opportunities to hospitals with limited research infrastructure, thereby broadening access to cutting-edge therapies. “The lack of diversity in so many of today’s clinical trials is due to recruitment limitations,” Wang notes. “By connecting the right patients to the right studies, we aim to change that dynamic.”
A Growing Network of Healthcare Leaders
In just over a year, major health systems and hospitals have joined forces with Q-Centrix, including Bon Secours Mercy Health, Carle Health, Tampa General Hospital, John Muir Health, Renown Health, Onvida Health (formerly Yuma Regional Medical Center), Baptist Health Care, Summa Health, Tucson Medical Center, and Kootenai Health. Collectively, these member organizations serve over 1.26 million patients, expanding clinical research options for diverse populations.
Beyond Large Systems: Empowering Individual Hospitals
Membership in the Research Network isn’t restricted to large healthcare systems. Smaller community hospitals and facilities in underserved regions are also coming on board, many of which previously had only sporadic involvement in clinical trials. Q-Centrix is working closely with these hospitals to integrate research as a standard component of care, making it easier for local patients to access experimental therapies without traveling long distances.
Streamlining Research Through Collaboration
The Research Network facilitates a range of engagements between hospital members and pharmaceutical sponsors. These include assembling specialized datasets for retrospective studies, aiding in patient pre-screening for specific trials, and supporting hospitals as they partner more directly with life sciences organizations. By doing so, Q-Centrix not only reduces barriers to participation but also empowers healthcare providers to play an active role in advancing medical innovations.
Building the Infrastructure for Lasting Impact
Wang underscores the value of establishing a robust, user-friendly framework: “We are just at the beginning of bridging hospitals and research. The concept has always been there, but the infrastructure—and a company with the experience to deliver it—was missing.” In creating that infrastructure, Q-Centrix helps hospitals enhance their clinical and financial outcomes by leveraging previously untapped data to secure research funding and improve patient care.
Driving Equity Through Inclusivity
A key goal of Q-Centrix’s Research Network is to boost trial participation among communities traditionally overlooked by research initiatives. By incorporating hospitals serving a wide spectrum of populations, the network paves the way for a deeper understanding of how new treatments perform across demographic groups. “Hospitals in underserved areas are often overlooked by research initiatives,” Wang explains. “Connecting these facilities with sponsored studies not only brings additional resources but also tackles disparities in clinical research.”
Shaping the Future of Clinical Research
As the Research Network continues to gain momentum, it reflects a broader industry-wide push to integrate clinical research more deeply into patient care. Hospitals see the added value of trial participation, both in advancing science and in expanding the range of care they can offer.
Beyond its immediate success, the Q-Centrix Research Network represents a shift toward more patient-centric, inclusive clinical trials. By removing logistical and systemic hurdles, Q-Centrix is laying the groundwork for a future in which clinical studies are both equitable and efficient.
Looking Ahead
Q-Centrix plans to continue growing the Research Network, forging additional partnerships, and refining its methodologies to serve an even wider range of healthcare facilities and patient populations. “The work we’re doing is just the beginning,” Wang concludes. “We’re establishing the infrastructure that will make clinical trials a routine part of care in every community. It’s an ambitious mission, but one we’re committed to achieving.”
In doing so, Q-Centrix offers a glimpse of how the clinical research landscape can evolve—where collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity pave the way for groundbreaking treatments and better health outcomes, especially for those who have long been left out of the research equation.