How eCOA Improves Patient Experience

By Chris Watson, Director of Consulting, THREAD

It is critical to ensure clinical trials are truly patient-centered. Although the intention to incorporate patient input and feedback can be seen throughout the clinical research industry, clinical research studies often don’t rise to that challenge. In order for clinical trials to be designed in a way that is truly patient-centric, sponsors and contract research organizations (CROs) must acknowledge that every patient comes in with differing needs, expectations and backgrounds. Although it may not be possible for today’s clinical research studies to efficiently and effectively address each patient individually, there’s opportunity to better incorporate patient voice throughout a trial. Sponsors and CROs should take the first step to identify individual needs and find a common thread that can align an entire patient group. Messaging, recruitment, study design and protocol mandates can all be adjusted with the patient voice in mind.