Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2016) 43 OC21 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.43.OC21

WCTD2016 Abstract Topics Design a Clinical Program for Success (17 abstracts)

Patient preference for using computers, smartphones, and internet to participate in diabetes clinical trials

Khurana Laura 1 , Ellen M Durand 1 , Sarah Tressel Gary 1 , Antonio V Otero 1 , Chris Hall 1 , Kelsey Berry 2 , Christopher J Evans 2 & Susan M Dallabrida 1


1Clinical Science & Consulting, ERT, USA; 2Research, Endpoint Outcomes, USA.


Background: Patient engagement and adherence are critical to the success of clinical trials. Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) are increasingly used to evaluate diabetes 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 diabetes trial design may reduce patient burden and improve patient engagement.

Methods: 102 subjects with type 2 diabetes 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. 66% reported having a computer at home, 53% reported using the internet daily, and 48% 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 (19%), 2–6 months (25%), 1–2 years (17%), or 5+ years (18%). Similarly, subjects were willing to participate in a clinical trial using a smartphone for up to 1 month (19%), 2–6 months (29%), 1–2 years (11%), or 5+ years (18%). When asked what time of day they would prefer to complete a daily electronic diary, subjects preferred 8pm-midnight (32%), 8am-noon (19%) or noon-4pm (15%). Subjects thought it would be necessary (16%) or helpful (74%) 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 paper form (55%), an interactive voice system (51%), or a web-based form on the internet (49%).

Conclusions: Diabetes 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.

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