Future of Decentralized Clinical Trials and Innovations
Many articles consider clinical trials as a major component of medical research since they make it possible to collect the required data for which one needs to release new medicines. Historically, clinical trials were conducted in specific institutions, such as hospitals or centers for medical investigation, however, such a model of drug trials can be very restrictive and protracted. Decentralized clinical trials or DCTs, have only become popular in the past few years and are considered a revolutionary development. These trials involve utilizing technology in doing research with the help of virtual instruments so that patients can engage themselves from the comfort of their homes. This is even more so because the use of DCTs changes the traditional approach to clinical trial management and gives an idea of what the future will bring.
What Are Decentralized Clinical Trials?
A decentralized clinical trial is not that much different from a traditional clinical trial but eliminates the need for the participant to visit the site for each visit. However, they depend on-technology-supported inquiries like telemedicine, mobile applications, wearable devicesand online data collection. This makes the attending of appointments easier for the patients as well as the convenience of sample collection for the researchers. In a decentralized model, participants may only require to attend a nearby clinic provider or transmit the data from their gadgets to the researcher, limiting transportation and related issues.
Benefits of Decentralized Trials
As such, decentralised trials present a number of benefits. First, they make patients avail more services. Those living far from research centers or facilities, the immobile, and those with a very tight-work-schedule can now have trials that otherwise they may not be able to access. It also means that the process of recruitment becomes more efficient and expansive, which means the sample population can be more diverse, thereby increasing the likelihood that the findings actually generalize to different populations.
Besides, decentralized trials also lead to a faster process of research being conducted by the doctors. Real-time data collection through the use of digital tools enables the researchers to compile results in much shorter time and tweak the research to produce the best results.
This may have the effect of shortening the development time of new therapy types, which could be good news for patients in need of advanced treatment options.
Technology Driving the Change
The decentralised trials’ effectiveness is dependent upon technology solutions implementation. Pervasive devices such as fitness trackers or smartwatches give the researchers the possibility to record the patients’ vital signs, motion activity, and sleep quality without interrupting the monitoring process. Some of the activities that can be done through the use of mobile apps are data collection, appointment making and even a constant reminder to patients on when they should take their medicine. Telemedicine means the use of healthcare providers over the phone and through other means without the need for an appointment. All the technologies mentioned above help in making clinical trial easy for the participants and researchers by making it a well-connected process.
Learn more about clinical trial innovations: https://www.pharmafocuseurope.com/articles/clinical-trial-innovations-the-future-of-decentralized-trials
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