Solving The Rubik's Cube Of Competing Forces To Realize The Future Of Clinical Research Part 3: Maintaining The Human Touch Amidst Digital Transformation

By Sandra Webb and Stephanie Katz, mdgroup

Hybrid studies and decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) are often lauded for their potential to enhance recruitment and retention by alleviating participation burdens, as revealed by a global survey of over 11,000 trial participants. The survey identified travel as a prominent impediment, prompting solutions like virtual study visits, reduced travel times, and at-home visits to mitigate participation challenges.

The significance of addressing burdensome site visits goes beyond mere convenience; it holds the key to curbing dropout rates, particularly among diverse populations facing hidden costs associated with traditional trial participation, such as travel expenses, childcare needs, and income loss. Recognizing participants and caregivers as individuals with distinct needs emphasizes the transformative potential of DCTs and associated technologies in clinical research.

While remote technology and mobile health services enable the feasibility of hybrid and DCTs, their effectiveness hinges on appropriate utilization. Inappropriately employed, these technologies risk diminishing the vital connection between participants and investigative teams, undermining participant engagement. Conversely, when used judiciously, they facilitate increased communication and empower participants and caregivers with choices, ultimately bolstering retention and enhancing data quality.

The pharmaceutical industry's multifaceted challenges necessitate a flexible approach that harmonizes the synchronous features of clinical trials. Explore how the combination of technological innovation with a human touch could be the key to unraveling this complex Rubik's Cube, ensuring that advancements in clinical research align seamlessly with the diverse needs of participants and caregivers.