Improving Clinical Trial Access with Patient-Centric Features

This year, we developed two exciting software features – eConsent and Self-Registration – which enable smooth clinical trial access and better experience for patients and assist with patient recruitment in a hybrid environment. Find out how the features came about and exactly how it all works in this post.

What’s it about? 

1) Digital patient recruitment and lower entry barriers
2) Self-Registration 
3) eConsent
4) The shift towards fully virtual trials  

1) Digital patient recruitment and lower entry barriers 

A recent survey by Climedo and Trials24 among over 120 participants revealed that the majority of patients are still recruited via offline channels, with 73% citing the doctor’s office or a trial site and 57% naming patient groups (multiple answers possible). Since patient recruitment is a major challenge for trial sponsors, this indicates the huge untapped potential that lies within digital recruitment channels as an addition to traditional ones. Such channels can help to accelerate recruitment rates and improve patient diversity.

“Lack of information about a trial” was the top barrier for patients (named by 40%) to joining a trial, underlining the need for transparent information and communication. While most patients were very open to using digital technologies and channels (75% would like to receive trial-related information digitally), it seems that healthcare companies are lagging behind in this respect: Almost half (44%) of the surveyed patients had not used any digital tools in trials so far.  

To address these gaps and make clinical trial access more user-friendly for patients, Climedo has developed two new features: Self-Registration and eConsent.

2) Self-Registration

Climedo’s Self-Registration QR codes enable clinical trial teams to streamline the patient registration process, making it more convenient and efficient. The QR codes can be created by authorized system users and printed on informed consent forms, banners or flyers. The patient scans the QR code with their smartphone from anywhere, reviews the study information and provides their contact details. If enabled for the study, the patient must first consent to data collection. After submitting the form, they receive a double-opt in email to confirm the accuracy of their email address. Depending on the study settings, patients can be fully enrolled in the study once their email address is confirmed.

Hybrid Trials Unleashed: Streamlining Patient Recruitment & Remote Enrollment

Webinar: On September 7, we discussed how to expedite the initial phases of clinical trials regarding recruitment and remote enrollment. Learn more in our webinar recording:

• Optimizing the initial phases of the patient journey
• Improving the accessibility of clinical trials through digital tools
• Overcoming challenges in patient recruitment

Get recording

3) eConsent 

Once self-registration has taken place, Climedo’s eConsent solution enables patients to review and sign consent forms for a clinical trial digitally, thus improving efficiency and reducing errors for smoother clinical trial access. For any questions, they can speak to a clinician or physician via a televisit, which can be easily integrated into Climedo’s platform via our partner network. As a result, patients can easily enroll in trials from the comfort of their own home. Climedo’s eSignature solution allows them to remotely sign the patient informed consent form, offering both advanced (2-factor authentication) and qualified signature (authentication via video ident) levels. Besides giving patients more time to review and fully understand the study process, the eConsent process can easily be combined with interactive learning content such as videos, guided presentations, quizzes, gamification or progress bars. These elements are easily incorporated into Climedo’s system and further strengthen patient motivation while displaying learning progress right from the beginning. 

4) The shift towards fully hybrid trials 

With these features, Climedo aims to make trials more hybrid or decentralized while lowering the burden on patients and healthcare professionals. This ensures transparent information, communication and support for patients as and when needed. As a result, more patients have access to clinical trials to foster patient recruitment for sponsors and CROs while significantly improving the patient journey. 

If you’d like to get more insights into Climedo’s software and features, feel free to schedule a quick software demo or contact us! We look forward to hearing from you.