Patient networks, patient engagement and education is critical to patients' involvement in clinical trials. This plays out through social media and patient networks to disseminate information about opportunities more rapidly through a much broader audience. Due to the limited number of potential subjects , the contribution of multiple medical groups to a given trial necessitates the development of physician/patient networks as an integral part of the recruitment process. Societies are instrumental in disseminating , demystifying and educating patients about clinical trial opportunities which can assist in recruiting, retention and conducting these trials.