From ePRO to iPRO: The effect of iPads on adherence and clinical trials
Mary Wieder of Arithmos explores the benefits of using mobile technology for patient-recorded outcomes and clinical trials
By on Oct 12, 2011One of the fastest growing segments of the electronic clinical trial market is electronic patient-recorded outcomes (ePROs.)
The adoption of electronic clinical trial technology has grown rapidly as clinical trial leaders discover new ways to streamline the drug development process.
As patient-recorded outcomes (PROs) move from a paper to an electronic platform, new devices are available for recording patient data.
These new devices can increase trial efficiency as well as patient compliance.
As this market continues to grow, it is important to know which ePRO devices can best serve clinical trial needs. (For more on trial recruitment, see Social media: A tool for clinical trial recruitment?)
While some clinical trials are still conducted using paper PROs (or even a hybrid model), switching to ePRO can save money and produce better quality data.
Another added benefit to ePRO is patient preference. According to the Drug Information Journal, 88 percent of patients—as well as 91 percent of clinical staff—prefer ePRO to paper.
Therefore, it is no surprise that patient compliance increases significantly with ePRO solutions, up to approximately 90 percent as compared to 30 percent with paper.
From ePRO to iPRO
The next question is how to electronically collect patient data. The Web is an ideal tool.
However, new technological devices—such as laptops, smartphones and iPads—may be a better bet.
Using a Web-based solution, clinical trial leaders risk losing data or patient compliance if the Internet does not work properly, or if the patient is distracted by external factors.
Devices, on the other hand, can be provided individually to each patient.
Devices also allow the questionnaire to appear in the same format for each patient.
Therefore, which devices are the best for collecting patient data electronically?
Netbooks and laptops are ideal for patient compliance because of their large screens, which can display multiple questions and responses.
The data is then submitted automatically, eliminating any burden on the patient.
Smartphones only further increase patient compliance by being easy to use with no assembly necessary. (For more on smartphones, see When does a smartphone become a medical device?)
Data is also transmitted automatically to allow for real-time management of a trial. (For eyeforpharma’s series on iPads and pharma, see Future pharma: Making the most of the tablet takeover, Future Pharma: A closer look at the iPad in pharma/physician relations, Pharma goes mobile: Making the most of the app opportunity and Will the iPad kickstart a pharma sales and marketing revolution?)
However, is the ePRO market now looking to go iPRO?
The iPad could be the ideal device for real-time clinical trial management.
Not only can the iPad submit data automatically, it is an ideal device for patient compliance.
The iPad has the look and feel of using paper, which could be comfortable yet convenient for patients.
Additionally, the iPad offers apps that can download medical studies and clinical trial information that may be useful to the current trial.
iPads with 3G capabilities can allow clinical trial leaders to also interact with patients in real time, reminding them of scheduled visits or monitoring medication intake.
Mary Wieder is with Italy-based pharma consultancy Arithmos.
For everything tech- and patient-related, join the industry’s other key players at Patient Adherence, Communication and Engagement (PACE) USA on October 24-25 in Philadelphia and Mobile Strategies for Pharma on Dec. 1-2 in London. Download the full PACE agenda and speaker line-up here. Want to know more? Contact laura@eyeforpharma.com.
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