How To Create An Effective Environment For Technology Transformation In Clinical Trials

By Marc Leighton, VP Product, Florence Healthcare

The clinical research industry has historically been a laggard in technology adoption compared to other industries in healthcare. However, the COVID-19 pandemic lit the match, pressuring the industry to move out of the dark ages and change the technology status quo – accelerating the technology transformation.

This rapid (and somewhat unplanned) adoption of technology outpaced the organizational readiness required for an optimal outcome. To benefit from the investment in technology, you first need to understand the organizational dynamics required as you add to your IT ecosystem. It boils down to two trends: an evolution from paper to digital and a shift from onsite to remote.

Shifting to remote processes is part of a broader healthcare trend but moving away from paper is very specific to clinical research. Most of the healthcare industry has already made this transition. To be successful, you need to go all-in on technology adoption, and it cannot be single-threaded or incremental. Scary? A little. Planning on doing this right now? Probably not.

Rather than view this change as daunting and difficult, organizations looking to create an effective environment for technology transformation can help make the process more seamless by taking into account the following three key considerations.