Torch Recruit

Torch Recruit Pty Ltd is a company that aids the determination of the feasibility of clinical trials in general practice and to facilitate clinical trial recruitment in general practice. This project will use an annual datacut of Patron data to undertake technical (data) feasibility assessments for clinical trials, and to undertake development and validation testing of Torch Recruit algorithms.

Patron ID: PAT084

Project Lead:

A/Prof Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis

Torch Recruit Pty Ltd is a company that aids the determination of the feasibility of clinical trials in general practice and to facilitate clinical trial recruitment in general practice. It evolved from a partnership between University  of Melbourne and Western Health. It does this by writing algorithms based on trial inclusion and exclusion criteria and applying these to electronic medical records in general practices using a software tool – ‘Torch Recruit’. No individual patient level data is extracted from participating general practices by Torch Recruit, only aggregate data is extracted. The clinical trials are investigator-led and commercial trials, and all trials proceeding to recruitment are required to have ethics approval stating that they are utilising Torch Recruit to facilitate recruitment in their ethics applications.

This project will obtain an annual datacut of Patron data to facilitate two activities:
(1) Undertake technical (data) feasibility assessments for clinical trials
(2) Undertake development and validation testing of Torch Recruit algorithms.

Summary

Patron data offers exciting opportunities to improve how clinical trials are designed and delivered in everyday healthcare settings. In this program, we were able to determine whether specific trials, ranging from mental health to diabetes, are practical in general practice and to develop and validate algorithms to identify people who may be eligible to participate. These insights can help shape smarter trial designs and recruitment strategies, ensuring studies are efficient and impactful. Ultimately, this approach has the capacity to reduce waste and accelerate discoveries that benefit patients and communities.