The Top 5 Tech Requests from a CRC
DaVita Clinical Research sites completed over 45,000 research related patient visits in 2018. Our sites have worked with more than 70 sponsors and have learned the pros and cons of working in the age of emerging technology. The site teams have an incredible amount of experience and wisdom to share about the efficiencies, or lack of efficiency, in our current technical environment. We asked a group of coordinators to name their “top tech asks” and here were their responses:
Eliminate Duplicate Training– The industry has recognized this as an issue and some headway has been made through TransCelerate and other shared platforms. The problem remains that sponsors have different training platforms and different vendors (EDC, IVRS) which require hours and hours of staff time spent to train rather than time spent with patients.
Create Compatibility– Most sites use an electronic Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) to track patient activity and many use an electronic source. The ideal scenario would be compatibility across the electronic source, site CTMS, and sponsor EDC, as well as being able to share data. Most CRCs enter the same data in a minimum of three different systems for one visit. The ability to push data from site to sponsor would once again allow more time for patients. Sponsors dictate the systems that must be used for their trials, and therefore sponsor investment in this area is required to make significant progress.
Establish Single Entry– Solve #2 and this wish is granted! The goal is to allow the input of source data to the electronic source to be the only time a CRC enters data. Source to CRF data links would make visits faster, and data easier to query and analyze.
Establish Single Sign In– Most CRCs say they’d want to have a single sign in for each study, or even better, each sponsor. Different password requirements for IVR and EDC and other platforms can be a nightmare.
Allow Mobile Access– Once again, solving the compatibility request would make this possible. Until all electronic sources are compatible with sponsor EDC, CRC’s would settle for remote access to the EDC. Our team members and physicians see patients at multiple locations every day. The ability to access the EDC for a PI to review, and the ability to make assessments remotely, would allow for more real-time investigator oversight. The data would be entered faster and would allow for the patient care to be elevated to a higher level.
Other tech requests from the field included virtual patient visits, e-consent and the ability to push data from the healthcare provider EHR to CTMS. This may seem like a lot, but as we make strides in making technology more universal to a sponsor or CRO we get closer to making these happen.
https://acrpnet.org/2019/01/15/opinion-a-futurist-view-on-the-use-of-technology-in-clinical-trials/
https://transceleratebiopharmainc.com/newsletters/ninth-edition/