An increasing number of trials include specific populations of healthy volunteers.
For a nutrition study, a study site needed to recruit a large group of young women (age 20 – 30), studying in a specific city (Leuven, Belgium), and orally defending their master or bachelor thesis. The recruitment window was time sensitive as thesis defenses are only taking place in June.
An additional challenge was raised by COVID measures with online or digital education being the rule. Students did not physically visit the campus for months. And many students were not even staying in the city.