2025 is set to bring new advancements in clinical trial site management driven by technology, efficiency demands, and industry growth. Staying ahead of these trends will be key for sites looking to remain competitive. From fully integrated ecosystems to real-time data access, hybrid trial capabilities, and improved participant experiences, here are four key trends for sites looking to remain at the forefront and lead the industry in the year ahead.
1. The Shift to Fully Integrated eClinical Ecosystems
According to DT Consulting’s Clinical Trial Digital Tracker, the use of digital tools by clinical trial sites rose from 57% in 2020 to 81% in 2022 – likely accelerated due to the push for remote options during the pandemic. As research organizations continue to grow and expand, outdated methods of disparate systems and manual, paper-based processes are steadily being replaced by purpose-built electronic solutions. Sites are also recognizing the need for a truly integrated and unified system to connect all aspects of clinical trial management, including recruitment, regulatory compliance, source data, payments, and more. Centralizing critical processes and trial oversight can minimize errors, reduce FDA audit risk, and ensure trials are completed on time and within budget. Plus, having all your data working together and accessible via a single platform saves time and effort across the board – freeing staff to work on more patient-centric tasks.
What to Adopt
RealTime–SOMS is considered an essential eClinical toolkit integrating CTMS, eSource, eReg/eISF, patient engagement tools, and payment systems into a bundled solution. This comprehensive product suite eliminates silos, reduces redundancies, and ensures a single source of truth for site operations. With a single, interconnected system, sites can track performance metrics, monitor recruitment progress, and manage regulatory compliance. This unified approach to site technology builds an ecosystem that drives increased operational efficiency and improves study quality.
2. Real-Time Site Performance Tracking and Reporting
Over the years, research has shown that sponsors avoid research sites that repeatedly underperform. Increasingly, sponsors and CROs are seeking proof of a site’s past successes and experience to ensure their trials are conducted efficiently and effectively. To make more informed decisions and improve site selection, sponsors want to see performance metrics such as recruitment timelines, enrollment rates, data quality, and protocol adherence from previous studies. Demonstrating a strong track record of delivering on these metrics builds trust and positions sites as reliable, high-performing partners, increasing their chances of being selected for future trials. Sites that can provide immediate access to accurate, validated data will stand out as leaders in the field.
What to Adopt
Unique in the industry, RealTime-Devana is a business intelligence platform, built specifically for clinical research sites, that streamlines pipeline management and automates study start-up workflows. The system, already adopted by the industry’s most successful site networks, delivers site performance metrics and analytics while reducing start-up timelines. With real-time access to critical data and powerful built-in analytics, site leaders can make the kind of data-driven decisions that improve trial performance and help sites stand out to sponsors.
3. The Growing Need for Hybrid and Decentralized Trial Capabilities
In a post-COVID world, decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) and hybrid trials have become a permanent fixture in clinical trials. In fact, the DCT market, valued at approximately $6.11 billion in 2020, is projected to reach $16.29 billion by 2027. This data points to sustained growth and integration of decentralized approaches in clinical research. These new trial methodologies require sites to adopt tools that support remote data collection, patient engagement, and flexible workflows. And as regulatory compliance becomes more complex, with an increasing demand for audit readiness and traceability, automating these processes is critical to reducing administrative burdens and ensuring accuracy.
What to Adopt
eSource and participant engagement tools enable sites to seamlessly manage hybrid trials. With real-time data capture and remote monitoring capabilities, sites can maintain compliance and improve participant experiences while also expanding access to diverse populations. eReg/eISF further boosts your team’s efficiency by streamlining document management, automating workflows, and providing built-in audit trails that ensure thorough record-keeping. Altogether, these purpose-built eClinical solutions support sites in remaining compliant, inspection-ready, and equipped to deliver high-quality trial results.
4. Supporting Diversity Goals: Centralized Recruitment and Patient Engagement Tools
Recruitment remains one of the most significant challenges for clinical trials, especially as sites strive to meet Diversity Action Plan objectives set by sponsors and regulatory bodies like the FDA. To ensure trials are inclusive and representative of diverse populations, sites must adopt tools that simplify outreach, streamline pre-screening, and improve participant retention while prioritizing engagement with underrepresented communities. Leveraging the integrated and centralized patient recruitment tools will ultimately reduce delays and accelerate trial timelines.
What to Adopt
The RealTime–Engage! Platform (MyStudyManager™ and eConsent), empowers sites to efficiently manage recruitment campaigns with a focus on inclusivity. These tools enable targeted outreach to diverse populations and simplify pre-screening workflows to prevent delays, leveraging real-time updates and communication features to ensure no patient is left behind. Engage! supports ongoing communication, improves retention through real-time updates and reminders, and simplifies the consent process with accessible electronic forms. These features work together to help sites meet diversity goals while optimizing the participant experience and ensuring trials stay on track.
Ultimately, Scalability is the Key to Growth
In 2025, clinical trial sites should look to adopt technology that not only meets their current needs but also prepares them for future challenges. Rather than buying piecemeal products that don’t communicate and require multiple logins, going with a single integrated solution may be the best investment.
RealTime-SOMS enables clinical research sites to handle more studies and patients with greater ease and accuracy. This makes it possible to scale operations without compromising quality or compliance. SOMS establishes a centralized, essential eClinical platform combining CTMS, eReg/eISF, eSource, Engage! (MyStudyManager + eConsent), Pay, and Text for tracking, managing, and organizing all aspects of study operations. Through a single, unified system, sites can monitor performance metrics, track recruitment progress, and oversee regulatory compliance. This creates an ecosystem that promotes operational efficiency and enhances study quality. Not ready to master multiple solutions all at once? Organizations only need to activate the products and features they need at the time, able to add other components as their processes and operations scale. And with RealTime’s Professional Services, our consultants will guide you every step of the way, from implementation to optimization, ensuring a seamless integration that aligns with your unique workflows and goals.
About RealTime eClinical Solutions
RealTime eClinical Solutions is a leading eClinical technology provider reshaping the landscape of clinical trials with its comprehensive eClinical platform. Purpose-built for clinical research sites, site networks, AMCs, sponsors, and CROs, the platform goes beyond traditional clinical trial management systems to empower research and business workflows for modern-day clinical trials – from trial award and study start-up through to trial execution. RealTime helps organizations manage the research and business of clinical trials, together, with software solutions including CTMS, eReg/eISF, eSource, participant payments (SitePay/GlobalPay), engagement solutions (Text, eConsent, and MyStudyManager™ Participant Portal), and Devana for pipeline management, business intelligence, and process and performance metrics.
