The Rise Of Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessments (eCOAs) In The Age Of Patient Centricity

With the industry-wide push towards patient-centricity, electronic clinical outcome assessments (eCOAs) have become a more widely used strategy to streamline patient data collection, provide real-time access to data (for review and monitoring), enhance patient engagement, and improve the integrity and accuracy of clinical studies. These eCOAs are comprised of a variety of electronically captured assessments, including patient reported outcomes (PROs), clinician-reported and health-care professional assessments (ClinROs), observer reported outcomes (ObsROs), and patient performance outcomes administered by health-care professionals (PerfOs). The main methods for collection of eCOA data include computers, smartphones, and tablets, as well as telephone systems. While many companies have chosen to partner with eCOA vendors to provide these electronic devices for use in a clinical study, other sponsors are exploring “bring your own device (BYOD)” strategies to save costs and start-up time. No matter what strategy is used to implement an eCOA for your clinical study, there are several factors to consider before embarking on this path.