There are several important factors which should be considered prior to resorting to relocating for clinical trial recruitment. At this point in history, one of the most significant considerations is COVID19. Participants will be put into a high travel burden; Participants are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 due to increased travelling requirements.

The next important consideration is eligibility. Trials that are listed on clinicaltrials.gov will list inclusion and exclusion criteria that is set by the sponsor conducting the trial and accepted by the regulatory authority in that country. These criteria are only able to be changed by the sponsor and would require   submitting an amended trial protocol to the relevant authority.  Only the sponsor in charge of the specific clinical trial can determine whether or not an individual meets the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria in order to qualify for participation in their clinical study.  If an individual meets all of the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria, it is typically the Primary Investigator of the study who chooses an eligible patient. The distance a patient would need to travel in order to participate is likely an important factor in the decision making process. Future trials that are not listed on clinicaltrials.gov have not yet determined recruitment criteria.

Migration. Unless you are a resident or immediate family member most countries have a process to apply for migration, this process needs to be done prior to entry into the country of migration. The United States and many other countries, have various types and requirements when it comes to visas for international visitors. The United States, for example, can issue visitor visas for a period of 90 days to countries who participate in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. (ESTA) program.

Whilst there are no costs for participation in a clinical trial, access to medical care in some countries can be extremely expensive without insurance and this should be taken into consideration.

It is important to remember that one of the primary goals for FAST Australia is to make clinical trial participation available to Australian families, we will continue to strive towards this as more and more trials come to fruition.