Virtual & Traditional Trial Sites: How Can They Work Together?

In order to understand the nuances of virtual (i.e. remote-based) and traditional (i.e. brick-and-mortar) trial sites and how they fit together, we need to first understand decentralized clinical trials (DCTs). The exact definition of decentralized clinical trials varies but essentially boils down to this: DCTs move research into patients’ homes and real-world medical settings through the use of technology and local healthcare providers. 

What are decentralized clinical trials?

Often, the label “DCT” is misnomered as digital clinical trials, but it is important to note that decentralized does not necessarily mean digital. DCTs often include protocols for traditional in-person activities such as getting an x-ray at an imaging center. However, digitization remains a key component of decentralized clinical trials through the use of electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROs), electronic clinical outcomes assessments (eCOA), electronic consent (eConsent) telemedicine, wearables, . In fact, decentralization offers the perfect opportunity for traditional and virtual clinical trial sites to work together in a hybrid model study.