Patient Preference for Using Computers, Smartphones, and Internet to Participate in Clinical Trials

Abstract

Objectives: Patient engagement and adherence are critical to the success of clinical trials. Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) are increasingly used to evaluate clinical trial endpoints. This study characterized how subjects prefer to use various types of technology to report ePROs in a clinical trial. Considering patient preference during trial design may reduce patient burden and improve patient engagement. MethOds: 416 subjects with osteoarthritis (OA, n= 104), type 2 diabetes (n= 102), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, n= 103), or depression (n= 107) were surveyed regarding their preferences for using computers, smartphones, and internet in clinical trials. Results: Subjects were diverse in age, sex, ethnicity, and technology use. 52% reported having a computer at home, 46% reported using the internet daily, and 45% reported owning a smartphone. Subjects reported that they would be willing to participate in a clinical trial using the internet for up to 1 month (25%), 2-6 months (19%), 1-2 years (14%), or 5+ years (15%). Similarly, subjects were willing to participate in a clinical trial using a smartphone for up to 1 month (25%), 2-6 months (22%), 1-2 years (12%), or 5+ years (14%). When asked what time of day they would prefer to complete a daily electronic diary, subjects preferred 8pm-midnight (26%), 8am-noon (21%), or 4pm-8pm (15%). Subjects thought it would be necessary (14%) or helpful (69%) to have an audible alarm to remind them to record their symptoms. In a multi-select question, subjects preferred to report their symptoms once a day for a clinical trial using a provisioned smartphone (49%), internet (46%), or an application on their personal smartphone (42%). cOnclusiOns: Subjects are willing to use computers, smartphones, and internet in a clinical trial setting. Trial sponsors should consider patient preferences for specific technology features to reduce patient burden and improve engagement and adherence when using ePRO assessments. PIH39develoPment and evalUatIon of a crosswalk between tHe eq-5d-5l and menoPaUse-sPecIfIc qUalIty of lIfe (menqol) qUestIonnaIre In PostmenoPaUsal women

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“…However, solutions currently available do not take full advantage of the available technology, are not supported by clinical evidence and/or lack clinical validation (Majumder and Deen, 2019). Different studies have shown patients with CORD have interest in and willingness to use information technologies to help in the management of their disease (Fonseca et al, 2006;Khurana et al, 2016;Dumais et al, 2019). In addition, patients' interest in real-time tracking of health status and progress, reminders, positive reinforcement and support have been reported (Simpson et al, 2017).…”