Innovative technologies are causing disruptions across various industries, and the field of healthcare and drug development is no exception. To fully get the benefits of new technologies in clinical trials, the drug development community can draw valuable lessons from other industries, particularly in prioritizing the consumer experience.
Several emerging technologies are poised to help the drug development landscape. Among them, exponential technologies like synthetic biology are advancing rapidly. Virtual reality and the Internet of Things are also transforming consumer-based technology development.
Direct-to-patient research is another innovative approach gaining momentum. Building patient communities based on clinical trials or studies allows for better engagement. For example; individuals interested in Alzheimer’s disease prevention treatments can form a community and contribute data from mobile health devices. When a trial opportunity arises, these individuals can be invited to participate or test new drugs or devices.
Workshop participants emphasized the importance of patient involvement in the trials of the future. Understanding patients’ perspectives and what matters to them can lead to clinically relevant research questions. Patient feedback on how they feel during the trial may reveal unexpected treatment responses, as seen in the breakthroughs in oncology immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors.
While the introduction of new technologies brings significant changes, certain aspects of traditional drug development will endure. Social media plays a key role in enabling patient recruitment for clinical trials. Platforms like Fox Trial Finder match helps individuals with suitable trials. However, concerns arise regarding the inclusion of individuals without clinical diagnoses and potential false reporting of data.
Incorporating simple online assessments, data capture by wearable devices, remote monitoring, and virtual clinical visits can significantly reduce patient burden, enhancing recruitment and retention. Drawing inspiration from the hospitality industry, improving the patient experience in research studies becomes essential.
Continuous measurement of activity and behavior through sophisticated sensors enables the collection of precise and frequent information at a relatively low cost. This approach can provide valuable insights into mental well-being and daily routines of trial participants, offering opportunities for just-in-time interventions and reframing behaviors.
