Addressing Mild Concerns Regarding BYOD Clinical Studies

In recent years, a form of data collection involving participants themselves has become more and more popular within clinical research. Known as bring your own device studies, or BYOD, these clinical trials involve patients submitting their data using their own smartphone, tablet or some other self-owned piece of technology.

At AGA Clinical Trials, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of paid clinical trial types, including several that utilize this format. BYOD trials can significantly lower the burden of reporting that’s on patients in long-term studies, and also give them great levels of control over their medical and health information. Some may still have concerns in a few important areas here – let’s look at these and put them to rest so you can confidently participate in this type of trial.

 

Secure Data Storage

There’s an assumption from some that data is generally safest when it’s stored in paper form or on closed computers, but modern times have shown us this simply isn’t always the case. There are now secured forms of data submission across devices like smartphones and tablets that are extremely safe, starting with the theme that the device itself never leaves your possession – unlike a paper survey.

There are several programs out there used by clinical research facilities for the secure transmission of patient data. Some of these are apps that can be used on common smartphones, several of which use facial recognition or fingerprint recognition so there’s no concern of hacking. Your data will absolutely be protected in such a trial.

 

Patients Without Smartphones

So what if you don’t own a smartphone or any related technology typically used for a BYOD trial? Can you still participate?

Absolutely! For starters, the vast majority of the apps and programs used here can be accessed on any computer, even older desktops or laptops. Notifications can be sent via email rather than push notifications to an app, as well. For those without any technology whatsoever, patients can fill out surveys with a clinician who is part of the trial, eliminating the need for login credentials or other areas older participants might struggle with.

 

FDA Submission

Some are also worried about the validity of their data within the trial, but this is a concern the industry as a whole has addressed in the legal realm in recent years. The FDA passed the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, one that endorses patient experience data for various forms of research, including data submitted by patients directly from their smartphones, tablets or other personal devices. That means that all data collected in these forms of studies, so long as it’s collected responsibly and within the guidelines laid out, will be acceptable for documentation and peer review.

For more on BYOD clinical research studies, or to learn about any of our clinical trials, speak to the staff at AGA Clinical Trials today.

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