Choosing The Right System For Your Clinical Trial: The Differences Between EDC And IVR/IWR

By Steve Palmatier

Sometimes it’s difficult to determine the best tool for a job, especially when technologies are developed in parallel to handle similar tasks. Take Interactive Response Technology (IxR) and Electronic Data Capture / Electronic Case Report Forms (EDC), for example. Both technologies provide a method for electronic entry of important data. Both can have data verification checks incorporated to minimize the potential for ambiguous or incorrect data entry. Both commonly incorporate user roles to limit access of individual users to functionality that is appropriate. So what are the differences that would provide insight on which technology to use when?