Have you ever wanted to take part in a clinical trial but the practicalities got in the way? If so, then decentralized clinical trials could be the answer for you. This newer way of working in clinical trials is changing the landscape for medical research and making it more patient-centric — including you.
Everything We Explain About Decentralized Clinical Trials
Decentralized clinical trials, or remote/virtual trials, are a new way of conducting clinical research. A stark contrast to the traditional trials where patients are forced to visit a research centre frequently, DCTs take these studies right into your living room for most of it.
How Decentralized Trials Contrast with Traditional Trials
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Traditional Trials | Decentralised Trials |
| Conducted at specific research sites | Conducted remotely or at local healthcare providers |
| Regular in-person visits required | Fewer in-person visits, more remote monitoring |
| Limited geographical reach | Wider geographical reach |
| Can be time-consuming for participants | More convenient for participants |
Advantages of Decentralized Trials
Decentralized trials can provide a number of advantages including:
- More Participation: No matter where you are in the world, if getting to research centres is always an issue for certain participants.
- Less Hassle: Reduce traveling to and from and waiting in clinics longer.
- Greater Diversity: These trials are not limited to a specific region and therefore can include participants from around the country, or even other countries, making results more reflective of diversity in health.
- Realistic Data: When you are in your natural environment, then the data collected will also have a chance to reflect real-world use, we call this real-world data (RWD).
How Technology in Decentralized Trials Works
Technology is vital to make these trials work and decentralized trials depend much more on technology to link up researchers with participants than traditional clinical trials conducted fully in a hospital setting. Some common tools include:
- Wearable Devices: This is to continuously monitor your vitals and track other health data, like an apple watch but one designed for the trial.
- Free Mobile Apps: Help to schedule, get reminders, and check for symptoms.
- Telemedicine Platforms: These platforms can be employed to perform consultations between the research team and you from the comfort of your home.
- e-Consent: Make the enrolment process easier and more accessible.
Recruitment and Participation of Patients
Joining a decentralized trial is makes research equitable:
- Find a Trial: Use online clinical trial finders to search for studies relevant to your condition.
- Pre-selection: Usually an online or phone interview but you are very likely to have to attend a clinic for the full screening to see if you are suitable.
- Consent: You will be provided with a comprehensive description of the study activities, and you can provide your electronic consent or consent when you attend the clinic.
- Participation: Most studies will require some appointments at the clinical trial site however some studies might mail you medication or send a wearable, and others will have visiting research nurses.
Challenges and Concerns
While decentralised trials offer many benefits, they also come with challenges:
- Access to Technology: Not everyone has the technology or is comfortable with it.
- Data Security: It is imperative to ensure privacy and security as electronic data collection continues to grow.
- Compliance of Subjects: Patient compliance may be harder to monitor if the study is relying on frequent in-person visits.
- No Face-to-Face Interaction: Personal connection to the research team is frequently lost for some participants.
Is a Decentralized Trial Right for You?
A decentralized approach could be a good match if you are thinking of taking part in a clinical trial, but only under some circumstances:
- You are mobility impaired or far from research centres.
- You are technology savvy with regards to health.
- You like and are comfortable with participating from the comfort of your home.
It is important to keep in mind that each trial will have a different level of decentralization. Be sure to ask your doctor and research team what you will need to do before the study starts. You must be able to see the trial through to completion. The process of medical research is being changed dramatically by decentralized clinical trials, now bringing the trial to you! s technology continues to advance, we can expect these trials to play an increasingly important role in developing new treatments and improving patient care.
