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Clinical trials are arguably one of the most important parts of our healthcare ecosystem. They’re needed so we can know what medications, treatments, and medical devices are safe to use on people. Because these trials are so important, it’s no surprise that the process of conducting the experiments is intricate and complex.
There’s no room for error in clinical trials because even a tiny mishap runs the risk of being invalidated. That’s why more and more healthcare professionals are interested in using technology to help streamline operations within their clinical trials. Some are hesitant to use technology for clinical trials, but there are several excellent benefits that are worth considering.
Data Analysis
Something technology is excellent at is analyzing a large amount of data at once and fast. As humans, we can analyze a large quantity of data, but we’re no match for AI and machine learning (ML) technology when it comes to speed. They’re programmed to be fast, which is why people utilize the technologies. Allowing these technologies to help analyze large amounts of data in a clinical trial can help streamline the process and find an effective treatment faster.
Plus, when healthcare professionals utilize technology to help with clinical trial data analysis, there’s far less room for human error in the results. While errors can still happen, they’re far less likely and easier to correct with technology than without.
Development of Predictive Models
Similarly to data analysis, AI can help with predictive analysis and models for clinical trial data. Examples of how predictive models can help with clinical trials are by analyzing patterns to determine which patients are most likely to respond to the trial medication or treatment.
It can also be helpful in searching for any complications or issues that those conducting the trial might run into along the way. This technology can help you prevent problems before they occur if the technology can identify them beforehand or early in the clinical trial.
Wearable Clinical Trial Devices
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Technology for clinical trials doesn’t need to be as intense or intricate as AI. Even your smartwatches can be beneficial technology for many clinical trials. Things like fitness trackers and smartwatches are becoming more and more popular for clinical trials to help the people conducting them collect accurate data.
Healthcare professionals can use wearable devices to track physical activity, vital signs, and even sleep patterns. Whether the trial is only about one of those things or you want vital signs monitored after the administration of the medication or placebo, it’s a great option. Wearable devices are great for remote data collection, making certain clinical trials run smoother.
Improved Patient Recruitment
Patient recruitment is one of the most important components of a clinical trial. Without patients who are willing to participate, the trial can’t happen. This aspect of clinical trials might be the one that can benefit the most from technology. It can be great for enhancing diverse patient populations in clinical trials.
Some companies have used online data like social media data to help identify potential patients for clinical trials based on parameters outlined by those running the clinical trial. It helps create a larger pool of potential patients, and utilizing additional technology like clinical study management can help keep track of patients and potential patients.
Patient-Friendly Trials
Clinical trials are all about finding new medications and treatments for patients battling certain diseases. A lot of the time, trials move away from focusing on the patient at the forefront, but relying on technology can help create more patient-friendly trials.
Many patients would be more willing to participate if it was easier for them to do so, and technology can do that. It can be as simple as creating a patient portal for them to use for communication, logs, or whatever else is needed for the trial. Throughout clinical trials, patients aren’t aware of a lot of behind-the-scenes things because they’re not allowed to. However, information that they are allowed to know can be communicated through the portal to make the trial feel more meaningful to them.
Easier Data Capturing
A major struggle for those running clinical trials is accurate data collecting. This is especially true when patients go to a facility for treatment and then leave and come back again. Of course, you can’t keep people under observation 24/7 for most trials, so utilizing technology that allows for remote and more accurate data capturing is a way to streamline the data collection process.
Using technology for data collection allows for real-time collection, which is typically more accurate than if a patient comes to report the information days or weeks later. It reduces the room for human error, which can jeopardize the trial. It also can assist with a more patient-friendly trial for those who are interested in participating but aren’t able to make it to in-person visits all the time.
Virtual Patient Monitoring
Virtual patient monitoring goes right along with easier data capturing because it involves technology like wearable devices or technology that they can use while at home or away from the facility. You can use these tools to monitor vital signs and other data to ensure that patients are reporting accurate information and not saying anything that can compromise the clinical trial.
Conclusion
Finding ways to incorporate new technology into clinical trials is the future of medicine. Finding ways to work with innovative technology instead of against it is vital. Technology can make a lot of aspects of our lives easier, and that includes making clinical trial processes easier in many ways. Depending on the needs of the clinical trial, there are a variety of different technologies that healthcare professionals can use to streamline one or more of their processes.
Whether it’s from utilizing wearable devices like smartwatches or using AI to help with data analysis, streamlining the process can allow for quicker yet more accurate information. This means medications and treatments that are proven to work are one step closer to being available to the public.
