At the recent Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) conference, industry leaders took to the center stage to discuss one of the most pressing challenges in clinical research: reducing site burden and improving operational efficiency. With the complexity of clinical trials growing exponentially – sites now juggle an average of 22 systems per study – the conversation explored innovative solutions to ease this strain and create a more harmonious ecosystem for sites, sponsors, and patients alike.
The Build Your Own Technology (BYOT) for sites discussion featured Rick Greenfield, founder and chief strategy officer at RealTime eClinical Solutions, alongside Joe Dustin, and Brandon Maggio. This forward-thinking approach reimagines how sites interact with technology, emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and improved workflows. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways on how BYOT could reshape the future of clinical trials.
The Growing Complexity of Clinical Trials
Clinical research sites are facing increasing pressure as trials become more complex, often requiring the use of numerous, disparate systems for each study. According to the latest SCRS landscape survey, sites now contend with an average of 22–point solutions per trial. That means 22 logins, 22 help desks, and a mountain of administrative challenges. This growing burden frustrates site staff, disrupts workflows, and ultimately affects patient experiences. But what if there were a way to reduce this complexity and empower sites with a more efficient approach?
Introducing Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT)
The concept of Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) offers a promising solution by allowing sites to use their preferred systems for core study tasks, such as eConsent, eSource, and document management. BYOT enables sites to harmonize their workflows, use familiar tools, and maintain compliance without navigating a labyrinth of sponsor-mandated systems. This approach acknowledges the expertise of site staff while alleviating the challenges of onboarding new tools for every study.
Addressing Site Burden with Familiar Workflows
Rick explains the rationale behind BYOT: “Imagine a coordinator working on five different studies in one day. Asking them to use a different system for the same task in each study creates inefficiencies and tech fatigue—not just for staff, but for patients too.” BYOT, he argues, addresses this issue by enabling sites to stay within their established workflows, leveraging their existing systems to enhance compliance and improve participant experiences.
DTRA, Championing a Collaborative Framework
The initiative, championed by the DTRA, seeks to provide a framework that ensures data integrity while granting sites the freedom to use validated, compliant technologies. The team is dedicated to developing actionable workflows, regulatory guidelines, and validation criteria. These efforts help sponsors and CROs confidently support site-preferred systems. “This isn’t about mandating a change. It’s about creating optionality for sites. Just like decentralized trials did for patients,” says Joe Dustin, a key leader in the initiative.
eConsent – Proof of Concept for BYOT
eConsent is at the forefront of this movement, serving as a proof-of-concept for how BYOT can reduce site burden while maintaining data quality. The long-term vision extends to other systems like eSource, offering a streamlined approach to clinical trial management that benefits all stakeholders—sponsors, sites, and, most importantly, participants.
Final Thoughts
As this initiative takes shape, it’s clear that BYOT represents a significant shift toward reducing site burden, improving patient experiences, and fostering a more collaborative clinical trial ecosystem. By supporting BYOT, sponsors and CROs can help create an environment where technology serves its ultimate purpose: enabling better research, better business, and better outcomes.
