eClinical technology has changed the clinical trial scene, increasing the efficiency of data collection and streamlining trial procedures. Electronic trial master files (eTMF), clinical trial management systems (CTMS), and electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) are examples of innovations in this sector that have led to a more cost-effective, comprehensive, and accurate representation of patient data.
Unfortunately, many businesses confront a number of obstacles that might affect the successful use of new technical resources. The key hurdles are coordinating technology initiatives with a team of people who have not been trained to operate the system and inputting the necessary data points. An unnecessarily complicated clinical tool will continue to fall short of its intended aim and fail to deliver significant insights, affecting clinical management decision-making.
Additional barriers to successful clinical technology deployment include user acceptability, data security, and regulatory compliance. After these possible obstacles have been recognized and prepared for, teams may effectively prepare to launch new technologies as part of their research programs while minimizing cost, timeliness, and data quality.
Let's look at five frequent issues that trial teams confront when implementing a CTMS and suggest viable strategies to lessen the risks.
1. Data Input and Quality
The capacity to gather and handle data in real-time is one of the most important advantages of eClinical technology. It is, in fact, a clear answer to the question of what CTMS software is. This makes clinical trial monitoring and identifying possible difficulties easier. Nonetheless, data quality might be affected, particularly if data is recorded or stored incorrectly.
It is necessary to extensively train workers on data entry, management, and quality in order to ensure high-quality data. To execute complete quality control checks, index documents, and maintain the expected document list in combination with eClinical software.
Provide clear criteria for data input and maintenance in accordance with quality standards as part of a strong launch. Furthermore, during the trial, it is critical to check data quality and use data clean-up techniques to proactively detect and repair problems before they compound further.
2. Resistance to Change
Resistance to transition from old paper-based methods utilized in clinical trials for decades is one of the most serious obstacles to eClinical technology. Shifting from paper-based to electronic systems necessitates considerable changes in how clinical trials are run, which can be difficult for individuals accustomed to old techniques.
Have a clear plan for integrating eClinical technology, including substantial training and support for clinical research workers, to prepare for and guarantee a seamless transition. Furthermore, it is critical to include stakeholders from the start of the project in order to acquire buy-in, identify and resolve preliminary issues, and create a culture of collaboration and cooperation.
3. Data Security
Acquiring and handling sensitive patient data is a critical component of clinical trials, necessitating stringent security measures to safeguard it. Data breaches and security flaws can harm a company's reputation, result in regulatory penalties, and even lead to legal action.
Create strong security measures that comply with relevant legislation and standards, such as the Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), CFR Part 11, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, to counteract them (HIPAA). Additionally, it is critical to train clinical research workers on best practices for data security and to monitor systems for potential vulnerabilities.
4. Integration with Existing Systems
Each clinical trial involves a variety of stakeholders, including sponsors, contract research organizations (CROs), investigators, and study sites, and each may use a distinct set of technological systems. Integration with these systems can be difficult and time-consuming, especially when there are compatibility concerns and obstacles.
To mitigate this, it is necessary to design an impenetrable integration plan that includes the identification of systems that require integration as well as any data flows, an essential component of what a CTMS system entails. At this stage, it is also critical to consult all stakeholders to ensure that the connection can be established properly without losing data or causing issues with particular systems.
5. Regulatory Compliance
With a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape on both a local and global scale, keeping in lockstep with changes to guidelines and requirements can be complex. The use of electronic systems as part of clinical trials is subject to stringent regulatory requirements, including those set out by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Clinical research teams should prepare a detailed regulatory plan that defines the regulatory requirements and the activities they will take to achieve compliance based on their awareness of the regulatory landscape. A quality management system (QMS) may also guarantee uniformity and transparency in procedures to ensure compliance rules are followed. The quality management system (QMS) should be built to guarantee that the technology is created, deployed, and used in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
When introducing new technology into a trial, research teams should put in place a solid structure to successfully roll out and train people. Although eClinical technologies provide distinct advantages in data gathering and trial monitoring, data quality might be jeopardized if not maintained properly. Adequate staff training on data entry, management, and quality is essential for leveraging eClinical possibilities.
Additionally, the danger of delays, poor data quality, security breaches, and compliance difficulties is considerably minimized by adopting comprehensive security measures with an airtight integration plan and training programs. This optimizes technical capabilities to increase data quality and dependability, eventually leading to better patient outcomes and the advancement of life-saving medicines.
Do you want to improve your clinical technology deployment strategy? Or are you confused over CTMS software vendors? Well, look no further. Octalsoft is a global pioneer in practical, global eClinical innovation, streamlining procedures for sponsors, CROs, and locations worldwide.
Get started on harnessing the power of Octalsoft’s CTMS today. Book a demo now!
