Opinion: Decentralized clinical trials: Collaboration is needed to drive their adoption and impact
Despite groundbreaking advances in basic and clinical science and technology, clinical trial methods have not kept up with the pace of change and are no longer fit for purpose — not for patients or for the life science industry. The reasons for this include regulatory uncertainty, economic factors, and cultural obstacles, not the least of which is an adherence to conservatism in a highly regulated industry.
Overcoming these barriers, especially breaking the culture of the status quo, is beyond the power of any one organization. What is required is an ecosystem-wide series of changes based on collaboration to adopt decentralized clinical trials and realize the benefits they bring.
