New CenterWatch Inc. Study Finds That E-Clinical Technologies Are Increasing Investigative Site Work Burden And Performance Inefficiencies

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Investigative sites worldwide are being inundated with a growing number of technology solutions that are difficult to use and are not compatible according to a new study conducted by CenterWatch, a leading provider of clinical trial industry news and information. The survey results, along with expert interviews, were released in the May issue of The CenterWatch Monthly newsletter.

“Pharmaceutical and biotech companies, CROs and technology providers are all eager to be partners-of-choice for investigative sites”

Among the key findings:

• Less than 10% of investigative sites believe that clinical trial technology solutions provided by sponsors and CROs are meeting their operating needs well;
• The majority of investigative sites feel strongly that there are too many usernames and passwords that they must manage;
• On average, the typical investigative site is working with 12 different systems to collect clinical research data;
• Interactive voice/web response systems (IVRS) and electronic data capture systems (EDC) receive high marks from sites for their quality and ease-of-use;
• Investigative sites give the lowest quality, ease-of-use and reliability ratings to clinical trial management systems (CTMS), electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) and electronic trial master file (eTMF) systems.

“Pharmaceutical and biotech companies, CROs and technology providers are all eager to be partners-of-choice for investigative sites”, said Ken Getz, associate professor at Tufts University and an observer of site management practices supporting drug development. “The results of the new CenterWatch study point to major opportunities to improve collaborative performance through more useful and reliable technology solutions and higher levels of interoperability.”

CenterWatch conducted the study between January and March 2016. An online survey was conducted among 252 global investigative sites. More than a dozen technology solutions supporting investigative site operations and the conduct of clinical trials were rated including EDC, electronic case report form technologies, CTPS, ePRO and eTMF.

“We’re very pleased with the valuable insights derived from this new study,” said Joan Chambers, chief operating officer at CenterWatch. “In response to feedback from companies eager to address concerns about their relationships with valued investigative sites, CenterWatch has also developed comprehensive reports with detailed in-depth findings.”

For more information about acquiring a copy of the CenterWatch Monthly May 2016 article and comprehensive reports, please email marketresearch@centerwatch.com.

About CenterWatch

Since 1994, CenterWatch, has been the recognized global leader in providing clinical trials information to a broad and influential spectrum of clinical research professionals ranging from sponsors and CROs, to investigative sites, technology solutions and niche providers, For more information, visit www.centerwatch.com.