Digital Tools and Strategies for Engaging Patients in Cancer Clinical Trials

Digital tools are increasingly used to support patient engagement in cancer clinical trials, particularly for recruitment, education, and electronic consent. As these tools become more integrated into clinical research workflows, there is growing recognition that they shape how patients perceive, interpret, and act on trial-related information as they navigate complex decisions under emotional and cognitive strain. Drawing on research in health communication, behavioral science, and patient-centered design, we provide a narrative mini review of current digital approaches such as websites, mobile applications, social media, patient portals, e-consent platforms, and emerging AI-driven tools to identify key challenges related to patients' access and experience. We offer a synthesis of evidence-based design strategies shown to support decision-making, reduce cognitive and emotional burdens, foster trust, and complement, rather than replace, human interaction. We also discuss considerations for implementation and evaluation studies, emphasizing the importance of assessing patient understanding, decisional confidence, retention, and equity alongside traditional enrollment metrics. We conclude by outlining future directions for theory-informed, co-designed digital communication strategies that support meaningful participation in cancer clinical research.