TITLE: How to select software for optimizing your clinical trials?
The conduction of clinical trials is usually associated with the immense amount of information to be recorded, processed, and analyzed. Moreover, the clinical trial organization itself also requires certain preparation and organization of all stages within it. To make the clinical trials optimized, new technological advancements offer astonishing software tools for better tracking, record, and analysis.
What software is used in clinical trials?
With the evolvement of software and its implementation in medical and pharmaceutical spheres, the idea to use electronic systems in clinical trials appeared. In fact, there are many clinical trials software companies that produce various tools for clinical trial management. Some of them produce special software that is dedicated only to a certain stage of a clinical trial, while others provide complex solutions for clinical trial management.
To make matters clear, the most popular tools produced by clinical trial software companies can be classified into two categories. The first software type refers exclusively to the data collection and record, while another type is associated with the holistic approach to clinical trial administration.
EDC systems
Some decades ago, all the records during the clinical trial were made in paper form. There was basically a stock of paper copies related to the clinical trial so that finding the needed information could take hours. The switch to electronic data capture (EDC) has become revolutionary in clinical trials indeed.
These days the records are still made on paper, though all the transcripts are then usually transferred to the electronic case report form (eCRF). Sometimes, the data input is made directly in the eCRF of the EDC software so no extra time is needed for transferring data.
CTMS software
A CTMS is the abbreviation that stands for clinical trial management software or system that usually offers a set of different functions. Depending on the clinical trial software company, each CTMS might have a different set of features. Anyway, every CTMS is always aimed to provide end-to-end clinical trial management.
While an EDC system is basically a must-have for those who conduct clinical trials, the CTMS software is the advanced solution. It helps to streamline the processes within the clinical trial project by providing a possibility to coordinate the work of various team members.
What are the benefits of clinical trial software use?
Whether you are using EDC only or also want to experience the CTMS, keep in mind that there are lots of advantages coming along with them. The most obvious one is that clinical trial software makes data management more accurate, though there are lots of other benefits.
Data security
Once the clinical trial data is input into the eCRF and saved in the EDC, it is highly protected and secured. This happens because clinical trial software companies care much about security so they embed features that ensure data protection.
Regulatory compliance
The clinical trial software provides a unique possibility to use the data forms that go in line with the latest standards for clinical trials. Thus, you will no longer need to worry about standardization as the clinical trial software already grants the regulatory compliance for you.
Organization
The way data is organized and managed means much as it imposes the way data is accessed by different team members instantly. Moreover, creating reports and data analysis becomes much more convenient when everything is stored in the same system.
