Will The COVID-19 Pandemic Make Clinical Research More Efficient?

Over the years, clinical research on various epidemic and pandemic diseases were conducted with in-person interactions. However, since COVID-19 transmits rapidly through human touch and touches on the surfaces, the scenario has forced for the rapid adjustment in the virtual modes of communication. This means that medical researchers are finally adapted to embrace change in their clinical trials. They have also suggested that, by making these changes permanent, it could also enhance the effectiveness of the research.

Clinical research post-COVID

In response to the spread of the COIVD-19 pandemic, the regulatory changes to accommodate all the clinical trials and research appeared rapidly. For instance, this also included the barriers that prevent patient care units via telemedicine services. In the same way, the FDA also initiated all the alternative methods for the safety of the medical researchers and their assessments. This also included the virtual visit assessments, which paved a way to shift to the rapid virtual modes of interaction between the patients and the health professionals.

• One take away from the virtual model of assessment is the “Teleresearch” methods that place events on the current landmark of clinical trials.
• The introduction of teleconference also reduces the protocol of the meeting and investigation meeting, which could be another way to stop the spread of future viruses during epidemics and pandemics.

Informed Consents

The process of obtaining valid information from the patients and the reports from the clinical trials are ethical and also a traditional way of performing clinical trials. This also provides a greater area for improving the methods of teleresearch, which also dramatically improves and enhances patient experience. That said, signing consent papers and signatures on the documents can be intrusive for the patients as well as the families, especially if they suffer from critical illnesses like the COVID-19.

 

Hence, this has given rise to the possessions of diverse mediums that have both an ethical and economic advantage over the traditional ways of using pen and paper. The audio and visuals also enhance the information for study during the consent, which allows the participants to skim through the material at their own pace.

Extending the research capabilities

Most of the outcomes of the clinical researchers, including the ones like the exams, surveys, and telemetry, can be used to conduct the best clinical trials, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be done telemetrically, whose outcomes are more critical and handy in the identification of their side effects.

The data collected through technologies like artificial intelligence and the wearable monitors allows the participants to collect data and perform safer clinical trials on the accuracy of the information gained during the assessment.

Conclusion

Clinical research and trials are the long-awaited catalysts that help in processing and adapting to technological changes. One of the much-needed catalysts for the change in traditional ways was the COVID-19 pandemic that can prepare people well for the next crisis.