18 Oct Lessons from female innovators in clinical research

Elizabeth Weeks-Rowe, The Association of Clinical Research Professionals

Innovation is the strongest voice in the developmental narrative of clinical research. It drives adaptive study design, advanced data collection/reporting, and alternative research methods to ensure business continuity in times of crisis.

Innovative technologies have transformed the landscape of clinical research forever, including through revolutionized data collection practices with the advent of systems for electronic data capture (EDC), electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) measurements, and electronic source/regulatory capabilities.

Early EDC systems helped reduce the need for paper case report forms and associated data collection measures that were slower, less efficient, and less accurate. Those early systems, self-contained and archaic by today’s standards (anyone remember lugging the extra EDC laptop to monitoring visits?), still revolutionized data efficiency and accelerated data transmission. EDC systems have since evolved to web-based/cloud-based technology that incorporates automated review to track data discrepancies, issues, and questionable reporting trends at the site/patient level and across trial centers. These systems can be accessed by many users at any place with a secure internet connection. Read more …