Preventing Information Overload - Using Study Portals To Engage Site Staff

By KK Rumrill, Sr. Director and GM, Digital Site Suite, IQVIA Technologies

How many unread emails are currently sitting in your inbox at work? Be honest. As professionals, we’ve all seen or experienced the case of “I get too many emails to read them all.” And, we’ve all probably experienced an important question or request falling by the wayside as a result.

For many sites, the overabundance of communications through email, system notifications, or other means isn’t just common, it’s standard. This state, commonly known as information overload, can have dire consequences. Sites often report an increase in stress levels, distraction, and delayed decision making. These effects can quickly compound, causing an otherwise engaged site to become overwhelmed, and adversely impacting their work and the trial at large.

To combat this, sponsors have been using study portals to employ a traditional mix of best practices and tailored communication styles. This approach works because it covers the core needs of all clinical trial sites while also addressing the two different types of site users.