We know opening the digital front door in clinical trials reduces clinician burnout and improves their satisfaction. After all, 60 percent of clinical researchers admitted to spending two hours or more per patient per day transcribing data from the electronic health record (EHR) into the clinical trial electronic data capture (EDC) system. That means, on average, researchers spend 25 percent of their day transcribing data.
We can and are doing better – and it is improving the satisfaction of clinical researchers. Specifically, automated source data capture populates case report forms with verified data on study day one which dramatically reduces the burden of manual data transcription.
Improving Patient Engagement in Clinical Trials
Likewise, technology has a distinct role in improving patient engagement in clinical trials.
Clinical trial patient engagement, at its foundation, is keeping the study participants involved throughout the clinical trial. The benefits of patient retention are many, including improved timeliness and accuracy of data capture and more real-time visibility during a trial.
The majority of patients participate in clinical trials because of a desire to improve their lives and/or the lives of others. A 2018 survey with nearly 4,000 respondents found that among those who had previously joined a clinical trial:
- 75 percent said the major reason or one of the major reasons they joined the clinical trial was to help future patients.
- 69 percent said they participated to improve their quality of life.
- 63 percent reported they were highly motivated to participate to receive the best care possible.
Convenience and communication are key too.
Another patient survey found 84 percent of those who had participated in a clinical trial described their experience as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. The three factors that aligned with an ‘excellent’ overall rating of a clinical trial were:
- A rapid prescreening to enrollment process, taking 24-48 hours,
- A positive view of the enrollment process, and
- Weekly communication during the trial.
In a September 2022 survey of nearly 2,000 patients and caregivers, 95 percent of surveyed patients expressed interest in decentralized trials. The top reasons cited were:
- The comfort and convenience of home,
- The responsibility for children and pets to care for,
- The minimal disruption of work and daily life schedule,
- The cost and challenge of travel and
- The lower risk of exposure to others if immunocompromised.
How OpenClinica Uses Technology to Improve Patient Engagement in Clinical Trials
At OpenClinica, we are investing in technology that is helping to improve communication and convenience, and ultimately patient engagement.
- eCOA (electronic clinical outcome assessment) including electronic performance outcome (ePerfO), electronic clinician-reported outcome (eClinRO), electronic observer-reported outcome (eObsRO) and electronic patient reported outcomes (ePRO) all offer benefits for decentralized clinical trials.
- OpenClinica Participate™ electronic patient reported outcomes (ePRO) offers a fun and easy way for patients to contribute directly to clinical trials. With Participate ePRO, you can send friendly, ‘just-in-time’ notifications and reminders through SMS or email, and patient-reported data that’s fresh in your patient’s mind instantly becomes part of the overall study data set. It’s easy for patients because there’s no app to install, no need for a password, and they are able to use their preferred device (s).
- Clinical Trial eConsent is software that allows trial participants to read and sign informed consent documents online. It can be used remotely or on site, simplifying consent processes for participants and reducing the paperwork burden for clinical staff.
These kinds of technology innovations can also help attract a broader, more diverse population, reducing the problem of underrepresentation of people of different genders and ethnic backgrounds.
To learn more, watch our on-demand webinar, Opening the Digital Front Door in Clinical Trials to Improve Patient and Clinician Satisfaction or contact us directly.