How Has Technology Changed The Face Of The Clinical Research Industry?

Every industry has its own challenges to face and overcome; and even the clinical research industry does. The most pressing challenge is the industry’s adoption of new technologies and consumer-driven applications. More and more new players are stepping into the world of research, wellness, and healthcare, looking at the way new ailments are coming up, and people are looking for ways to fight and prevent them. High-powered technology companies like Amazon, Apple, and Verily are coming up with applications and services related to the medical field. With these technology companies entering the clinical research landscape, what effect is being seen on the clinical research industry? Let us take a look.

Because everything is becoming too fast and technical today, it is crucial that the clinical research industry embraces technology too to make the trial process more participant-friendly. If not, the well-like and recognized brands like Amazon and Apple will definitely steal away the limelight with their health apps, devices, and services. This is because these technology companies are consumer-driven with millions of users already spread on their platforms. It is their business-to-consumer working models that are able to satisfy the needs and wants of individuals. They are well capable of streamlining the user experience.

Understanding this, the clinical research industry is putting in efforts to adopt this consumer-driven model, leaving behind the manual and paper-driven process of business-to-business framework. Today, the industry has started focusing more on patient experience. Although it is difficult because the research industry has many regulations and hurdles to cross over that the technology industry doesn’t have to, but the research industry is still making its way through it.

Patient centricity is becoming more commonly adopted today. Common hurdles to participation in clinical trials like travel time, travel costs, multiple in-hospital visits, etc. are all being eliminated. One of the most evident issues faced in clinical trials is the accessibility of data. With new regulations emerging and the number of clinical trials increasing, it is becoming crucial for sites to have access to data on the patient level. Digitization is at the forefront to achieve this with focus on patient engagement. This kind of digitization technology can significantly improve trial results.

The clinical research industry is now focusing on various factors that are important in the technological world today.

• Enhanced flexibility – Flexibility is highly important if one wants the ability to adapt to varying trial protocols and patient populations.
• Patient perspective – Patient experience prioritization is key to increasing engagement and compliance, which is why the platforms used must be usable, effective, and intuitive.
• Bring your own device – Patients, when allowed to bring in their own devices, are more interested in the trials as it brings in conveniences for them.
• Integrated technology solutions – Platforms considering various electronic data that gathers components of a trial, and provides a complete solution, rather than random pieces, is what is required.

With these few elements, the clinical research industry is focusing on the requirements of sites and patients to deliver effective solutions for any type of trial. Participating in this league of technology, Avigna Clinical Research Institute also puts a step forward in helping students learn about clinical research from the comfort of their home, by making use of the latest technologies. It is one of the top clinical research institutes in Bangalore that offers virtual classroom and online learning options for those who want to build a career in clinical research, without disturbing their current lifestyle and responsibilities.

Dr. Smitha Parthiban is the Head – Academics & Student Relations at Avigna Clinical Research Institute. She has been associated with Avigna for more than 5 years.