eCOA and ePRO Provide Accuracy in Data Capture

Accuracy in data capture methods has always been and will continue to be a foremost necessity in pharmaceutical clinical trials. It is therefore no surprise that the markets for Electronic Data Capture (EDC), Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessments (eCOA), and Electronic Patient Reported Outcomes (ePRO) are growing given their capability to collect large amounts of data while simultaneously ensuring high quality. ISR’s EDC and eCOA/ePRO Market Dynamics and Service Provider Performance (2015) report shines a light on this increasing technological trend by providing a greater understanding of EDC and eCOA/ePRO penetration in pharmaceutical markets. Sponsors, CROs, and technology providers will gain perspective on how to situate themselves in this market.

ISR’s EDC and eCOA/ePRO Market Dynamic and Service Provider Performance(2015) offers a view of provider performance on a number of core attributes and gives a close-up perspective of sponsor, CRO, and clinical site service experience with EDC and eCOA/ePRO organizations. Data were collected from 166 respondents representing 3 groups: study sponsor companies, CROs, and clinical research sites.  An important take-away from this research concerns the increasing acceptance and use of EDC and eCOA/ePRO technologies amongst sponsor companies and CROs. Findings show that 91% of respondents exhibit a greater preference towards EDC than paper CRFs, a preference increase of almost 15 percentage points from two years earlier. Similarly, 86% of respondents report a preference of eCOA/ePRO over paper diaries compared to a 61% preference in 2013. The majority of respondent’s reports that they will further increase their use of these technologies in the coming years.  

Such a vast difference in the preference between electronic and paper-based methods not only indicates a realization of the potential benefits gained through the use of electronic technologies, but also points to a fairly clear gravitation away from paper-based methods. This trend of increased acceptance and usage has several implications for both sponsor/CRO companies and technology providers. For providers, be aware of growing demands for technological services within the clinical trial arena. Prepare for additional adoption of your services and possible expansion of your sponsor’s preferred provider list. For sponsors and CROs, be sure that you have an understanding of the breadth of providers available in your use of data collection technologies. Our report is available in order to provide a clear sense of the best provider for your needs and area of focus. 

Understanding the emerging area of electronic data collection technologies is a necessary step towards navigating the changing landscape of pharmaceutical clinical trials. The efficiency and quality provided by EDC and eCOA/ePRO allows providers and sponsors alike to move forward with a sense of assurance in their work. ISR’s EDC and eCOA/ePRO Market Dynamics and Service Provider Performance (2015) explores these issues in depth