In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics on why many clinical trials are relying more and more on technology for recruitment, participant screening and related needs. Screening protocols are very important for any research study, ensuring the trial has the right kinds of participants and will produce valid results based on them, and technology is not only improving the quality of these protocols, but the convenience and staffing needs involved with them.
At AGA Clinical Trials, we’re happy to offer a variety of clinical trials for the benefit of the medical realm, plus quality screening and recruitment processes – including the use of technology in several areas here. Beyond savings on staffing, which we went over in part one, what are some of the top benefits of infusing technology into patient recruitment for a clinical trial? Part two of our series here will dig into several positive effects.
Organization and Data Access
Technology isn’t only valuable for cost savings in the recruitment area – it’s also a huge piece of the modern puzzle when it comes to organization and data access. It’s simply far easier to store and categorize digital files than it is to store the same information using paper and cardboard.
Specifically, once you have patient screening information in your system, it’s there for good and can be cross-referenced easily. There’s no more sorting through bulky file cabinets, allowing for decisions on patient eligibility and similar areas to be made far more quickly. In fact, technology often allows for pre-screening to be done in several formats – either all at once in a single session, or in separate ones if the prospective patient has time demands that make this impossible. This is because it’s easy to save an electronic form, while doing so with a manual form isn’t as simple.
Workflow Improvements
Beyond simple recruitment, technology improves workflow in several ways. It makes data from pre-screening easy to upload into trial metrics if a patient is eligible, allowing them to be tracked as soon as they enter into the system. From here, dashboards allow sites to recruit from multiple sources.
Storage and Space
Finally, as we touched on above, electronic recruitment and screening simply saves a ton of space in terms of storage. Paper documentation often takes up huge square footage, especially for the largest trial centers in the country; using electronic files, however, eliminates this need with the push of a button and makes storing and accessing any information far simpler.
For more on the impact technology has had on patient screening and recruitment within clinical trials, or to learn about any of our research studies, speak to the staff at AGA Clinical Trials today.
