The clinical trial process is a backbone of medical innovation, but it’s also slow and expensive. Bringing a new drug to market can take a decade or more, and many worldwide clinical trials fail to recruit enough participants1 . These delays and inefficiencies translate to a longer wait for patients who need new treatment options, being this need more acute for those with rare diseases.
Digital health solutions have the potential to revolutionize clinical trials, making them faster, more efficient, and more inclusive, where different tools and technologies can streamline every stage of the clinical trial process.
A 2020 article2 by Rock Health highlights the rise in digital health solutions aimed at improving clinical trials. Funding for these solutions has increased dramatically in recent years, and regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA have enacted policies that support their use. This growing interest reflects the recognition that digital health can address many of the longstanding challenges associated with traditional clinical trials.
Digital health solutions for every stage
The digital health landscape for clinical trials is diverse, with solutions targeting different stages of the process. Here are some examples:
- Study setup and patient recruitment: traditionally, identifying and recruiting qualified participants has been a significant bottleneck. Digital solutions can streamline this process by matching patients to trials based on electronic medical records or leveraging online platforms to reach a wider pool of potential participants.
- Data collection and management: clinical trials rely heavily on patient data, but traditional methods of data collection through paper forms and clinic visits can imply a huge burden and are prone to errors. Electronic clinical outcome assessments (eCOA) and electronic patient reported outcomes (ePRO) tools enable patients to report symptoms and health data conveniently through mobile apps or web portals.
- Remote patient monitoring: digital health technologies can be used to collect patient data passively outside of the clinical setting. Wearable devices and biosensors can track a variety of health metrics, including heart rate, movement features, and sleep patterns. For instance, some intelligent technology solutions leverage smartphone cameras to capture data such as medication ingestion, improving medication adherence monitoring.
- Patient engagement and retention: keeping patients engaged throughout a clinical trial can be challenging. Digital health solutions can improve communication between patients and researchers, fostering a sense of connection and promoting adherence to trial protocols. Telehealth platforms allow for virtual consultations, while mobile apps can provide patients with educational materials, reminders, and progress updates.
The benefits of digital health integration in clinical trials
- Reduced time and cost of clinical trials by streamlining processes and improving efficiency, which means quicker access to new treatments for patients.
- Improved data quality by minimizing errors associated with manual data entry and ensure data consistency. This leads to more reliable and robust clinical trial results.
- Enhanced patient recruitment and retention, leading to higher participation rates and better data quality.
- Greater accessibility, allowing geographically dispersed populations to participate or those with limited mobility. Telehealth consultations and remote patient monitoring allow for participation from the comfort of a patient’s home.
Challenges and considerations
Despite the promising potential of digital health, there are also some challenges to consider:
- Regulatory landscape: regulatory bodies need to adapt to the evolving digital health landscape. Clear guidelines for the use of digital health solutions in clinical trials are necessary to ensure data integrity and patient safety. As highlighted in the 2023 Nature article3 “Digital health technology in clinical trials” by Mittermaier et al, adapted regulatory guidelines are necessary to clarify and simplify the market entry of DHTs in validating trials.
- The digital disparity: not everyone has access to the technology or digital literacy required to participate in digital clinical trials. Addressing this disparity is crucial to ensure equitable access to clinical research opportunities.
- Data privacy and security: the collection and storage of patient data through digital platforms necessitates robust security measures to protect patient privacy. Regulatory frameworks and clear data governance policies are essential.
The future of clinical trials
The integration of digital health solutions holds a huge promise for the future of clinical trials. By embracing digital health, from those who develop the technology to those who pay for it and validate its use, we can work towards a future where clinical trials are faster, more efficient, and more inclusive, ultimately leading to faster development and delivery of life-changing treatments for patients.
Some additional thoughts:
Research into the effectiveness and best practices for implementing digital health solutions in clinical trials is critical to ensure their successful integration. The data collected through digital health tools needs to be as reliable and accurate as data obtained through traditional methods.
Partnerships in clinical trials between pharmaceutical companies, technology providers, regulatory bodies, and patient advocacy groups will be crucial to advance the adoption of digital health in clinical trials.
The ethical implications of using digital health solutions in clinical trials need careful consideration. Issues like informed consent and data ownership require ongoing discussion.
By acknowledging these challenges and working collaboratively, we can unlock the full potential of digital health to revolutionize clinical trials and bring the promise of new treatments to patients faster than ever before.
If you are developing innovative digital health solutions with the potential to transform clinical trials, we’d love to hear from you!