Real World Data In Real Time

By Frederic Sibeaud, Director, eCOA Data Management

Electronic clinical outcomes assessments (eCOAs) don’t just simplify data collection. They give researchers almost instant access to patient data, which accelerates their ability to identify trends and make decisions. The impact of this speed and agility on a trial is that months can be cut from the duration, while lowering costs and mitigating risks, giving sponsors a powerful new tool in the clinical landscape.

Paper takes forever

With traditional paper-based diaries, researchers have to wait weeks to collect data when patients submit them at on-site appointments. Those paper documents can then pile up for weeks before they are transcribed into the database for review.

That means researchers may wait months before they can review any patient reported outcomes (PROs) from the trial population. It’s a significant front-end delay that adds weeks to the trial and slows decision-making.

With eCOAs that process is transformed. eCOAs are digital assessment tools that capture data directly from the patient via virtual questionnaires and diaries. As soon as the data is recorded, it is transported to the trial database, with no transcription or data transfer steps required.

That means researchers and sponsors can begin assessing PROs on day one of the trial. The impact can be profound.