Decentralized Clinical Trials – Best Practices In Moving Toward A Patient-Centric Research Model

By Lindsay McNair, MD, MPH, MSB, Chief Medical Officer, WCG

Several decades ago, almost all clinical trials for new medications were conducted within the relatively small community of academic medical centers. Gradually, this practice began to shift, with community hospitals, free-standing research sites, and physicians in private practice becoming involved as research sites. Still, the model of clinical trials remained based at medical institutions. In the last few years, and in conjunction with the increase in patient involvement in the design and conduct of research programs, there has been a notable increase in the idea of “virtual” or “decentralized” clinical trials.