Michael Barbella, Managing Editor02.12.24
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) even though they have been in use for decades. DCTs enable patients to participate in clinical studies from their homes, eliminating the need to travel to clinical sites. This not only reduces the burden on patients but also leads to higher participation rates. Of all the virtual components used in clinical trials, mobile healthcare is the most commonly used component, with 47% of DCTs using this element, according to GlobalData.
The company's report “Thematic Intelligence: Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies in the Healthcare Industry,” reveals that web-based technology is the second most commonly used virtual component, with 23% of DCTs using it for activities such as electronic data collection (eCOA, eConsent, eDiary, ePRO, and questionnaire). Mobile healthcare consists of activities such as remote patient monitoring, remote drug delivery, telemedicine, and home nursing.
“As technologies continue to improve, it has become easier to collect, transfer, and store data electronically," GlobalData Associate Project Manager (Pharma) Shiva Narayana said. "After the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a drastic increase in patients becoming more comfortable with using gadgets. As people were forced to adapt to social distancing measures and lockdowns, many became more comfortable with using technologies for various purposes, including healthcare.”
Progress in network technologies, connected gadgets, medical wearables, sensors, data analytics algorithms, and software is reshaping the healthcare and clinical trial environments. These breakthroughs are facilitating the more effective gathering of data and the provision of advanced healthcare through various means.
With more patients using technologies such as wearable devices, smartphone apps, or other remote monitoring tools to collect and transmit data such as vital signs, medication adherence, and symptoms, clinicians canaccess real-world data and gain timely insights.
“By introducing virtual components, the study sponsors or clinical research organizations (CROs) can drive more cost-effective and efficient clinical trials. With fewer geographical constraints and increased patient engagement, decentralized trials can potentially be completed more quickly," Narayana stated. "However, there are also challenges and considerations in implementing decentralization in clinical trials, such as ensuring data privacy and security, addressing the digital divide, and maintaining the integrity of the study.”
The company's report “Thematic Intelligence: Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies in the Healthcare Industry,” reveals that web-based technology is the second most commonly used virtual component, with 23% of DCTs using it for activities such as electronic data collection (eCOA, eConsent, eDiary, ePRO, and questionnaire). Mobile healthcare consists of activities such as remote patient monitoring, remote drug delivery, telemedicine, and home nursing.
“As technologies continue to improve, it has become easier to collect, transfer, and store data electronically," GlobalData Associate Project Manager (Pharma) Shiva Narayana said. "After the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a drastic increase in patients becoming more comfortable with using gadgets. As people were forced to adapt to social distancing measures and lockdowns, many became more comfortable with using technologies for various purposes, including healthcare.”
Progress in network technologies, connected gadgets, medical wearables, sensors, data analytics algorithms, and software is reshaping the healthcare and clinical trial environments. These breakthroughs are facilitating the more effective gathering of data and the provision of advanced healthcare through various means.
With more patients using technologies such as wearable devices, smartphone apps, or other remote monitoring tools to collect and transmit data such as vital signs, medication adherence, and symptoms, clinicians canaccess real-world data and gain timely insights.
“By introducing virtual components, the study sponsors or clinical research organizations (CROs) can drive more cost-effective and efficient clinical trials. With fewer geographical constraints and increased patient engagement, decentralized trials can potentially be completed more quickly," Narayana stated. "However, there are also challenges and considerations in implementing decentralization in clinical trials, such as ensuring data privacy and security, addressing the digital divide, and maintaining the integrity of the study.”