Patient feedback and data collection are key components of any clinical trial and ultimately provide the validation needed to approve new medications for market. Collecting and documenting that information must be done in a systematic and consistent manner to ensure proper analysis of the results. Typically, in-person visits are the primary, and often the only, interaction between patients and Primary Investigators (PIs). As such, research sites have always been the indispensable element required to conduct clinical research.
Though the emergence of virtual trials in the clinical research space is disrupting traditional processes, it does not replace the need for sites and in-person visits. Research sites must continue as the nucleus of clinical research studies. Sites that are early adopters of virtual trials, however, will gain a competitive advantage as there are numerous benefits to incorporating virtual visits.
Virtual Trial Benefits for Research Sites
- Fewer missed appointments. When trial protocol permits, virtual visits can replace some in-person visits. With several options available on the VirTrial platform, patients can use their mobile device to connect with their PI. They can call, and optionally add video to show symptoms when needed. This option helps ensure compliance for patients that would have otherwise missed an appointment.
- In-depth education. VirTrial enables PIs to follow up on virtual visits with additional information via email or text. They can send supporting documentation, detailed instructions for dosing, background information on a condition, and other relevant information to support the patient.
- Increased engagement. Virtual visits empower patients to take more control of their health and engage proactively in the trial. More frequent interaction leads to stronger relationships between patients and PIs, and more committed patients.
- Intermittent questions. Having established a patient/PI relationship electronically makes it easy for patients to proactively contact their PI to ask questions or share new symptoms that arise between regularly scheduled in-person visits.
- Video conferencing. Unlike a phone call, PIs and site staff can see the face of their patient while they’re talking so it’s easier to assess patient comprehension of the information being discussed.
- Simplified scheduling. PIs and patients both have a direct line of communication to schedule or modify future appointments. And with an established relationship, patients are more likely to reach out.
- Access to caregivers. When a patient is seen at a clinic, the PI only has access to the patient and the person who is accompanying them, if there is anyone with them. With virtual visits, however, it is possible to speak to others in the household such as caregivers and family members through multi-way conferencing.
Virtual trials add significant flexibility to patients as well as PIs conducting clinical research. The addition of so many new avenues of communication translates into many new virtual trial benefits. Sites are able to get more frequent feedback and capture larger datasets to validate study outcomes.
Request a demo today and see for yourself the simplicity of the VirTrial platform. There are a multitude of ways the platform can benefit your research site as well as your patients.
