Managing eCOA Device Allocation And Resupply In Clinical Trials

Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA) has, in the past decade, become increasingly popular in global clinical trials to the technology’s ability to provide more complete data collection, boost patient compliance and manage patients in real-time. Despite its proven record in supporting clinical trials of all sizes and complexities, many sponsors and CROs still have reservations about implementing eCOA strategies due to the perceived costs. Even those organizations that have readily embraced eCOA are often on the lookout for ways to cut the associated costs in order to meet budgetary requirements.

There is evidence to suggest that in an effort to reduce the upfront costs, sponsors and CROs may inadvertently limit the number of devices they provide for their study the planning stages of the study, including additional costs for more devices, or device shortages and the resulting logistical complexities associated with managing a trial with limited devices. On the other hand, study teams keen not to run into any challenges further down the line may overestimate the device inventory needed, adding unnecessary costs to their bottom line. A more practical solution is to partner with an experienced eCOA provider to develop an informed device supply strategy as early as possible during a study’s planning process.