Blog posts


Why ePROs in oncology are perfect for capturing the patient’s voice
Here are two statistics that may surprise you.
Number one, according to the WIRB-Copernicus Group, the number of oncology trials has skyrocketed over the last decade, almost doubling the number of all other therapeutic areas combined.
Number two, between 2010 and 2020, only 9 out of 108 FDA-approved oncology drugs, a mere 8.3%, included electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) in their labeling.
Clearly, ePRO adoption is lagging in oncology trials. This comes despite recent guidance from the FDA (in 2021 and 2024) explaining how sponsors can use these technologies to ease trials for themselves and their patients.


Five myths about eConsent
As our industry continues to follow new paths to digitization, it’s important to debunk the most prevalent myths — both old and new — and reach a deeper understanding of decentralized clinical trials.


DCT takes center stage at DIA 2022 with new Tufts CSDD Study
DIA 2022 provided four days worth of content spanning over 13 talk tracks and hundreds of speakers with three major takeaways.


Using clear language and the latest technology in informed consent forms (ICFs) for clinical trials
Explore ways to improve the consenting communication process using clear language and the latest technology.


How to bring patients into the product journey
Technology today has given patients unparalleled access to information and influence over their health care. As a result, many clinical trial sponsors now recognize the importance of taking a “patient centric” approach to clinical trials. That means designing a treatment, clinical trial, or other health solution centered around the patient, and includes getting feedback from patients, caregivers, families, and advocacy groups every step of the way.
In other words, it means treating patients as informed stakeholders whose participation is key to a successful trial and product following marketing authorization. Engaging patients and truly bringing them into the product journey has the power to transform the future of research and medicine. Read on to understand what patients expect from clinical trials today, and how to engage them throughout the product journey.


Meet patients where they are with consent information
The cornerstone of access to any clinical research project is the informed consent process–the decision of a participant to join a study based upon full and complete sharing of information about what the study will require, the risks of participation, and the voluntary nature of that participation.
This isn’t simply the participant’s signature on a paper or electronic form. According to governmental organizations like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), that signature is only part of the process. Of perhaps even greater importance is the provision of information to the patient accompanied by a discussion of the study and a chance to have questions answered, so that the decision can truly be considered “informed.”


Interview: Biomarker/Endpoint guidance and why they advance science
Colin Miller is Co-Founder and CEO at The Bracken Group, a life science consultancy providing high-level expert support in imaging, regulatory, due-diligence, and more. A scientist by education, Colin has written more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific and medical publications, published 3 books, and holds 3 patents.


How to write clear and compelling patient recruitment material to drive enrollment and boost diversity
Clinical trials are essential for the development of new medical treatments and devices. However, enrolling patients in clinical trials is one of the most challenging aspects of conducting these studies. This is especially true when it comes to recruiting a diverse and representative patient population.


Improving diversity in clinical trials: An industry leader talks progress and surprises
We sat down with Rosamund Round, VP, Patient Innovation Center and Decentralized Trials at Parexel, about the challenge of improving diversity in clinical trials and what Parexel is doing to meet it.


Designing patient-friendly ePRO instruments
This blog explores why patient-centric ePRO instrument design is critical to driving study success, provides tips on how to make instruments more patient-centric, and offers resources for additional ePRO design guidance.


Clinician Reported Outcomes (CROs): A universal approach
Get the basics on ClinROs, why they are important, the industry governance around them, and how their electronic versions can benefit clinical trials.


Podcast: How do you ensure clinical trial access for all?
Medable CEO Michelle Longmire joins Beyond the Molecule Podcast to discuss how the industry can expand clinical trial access to all populations.