Benefits of eCRF Software
Conducting a clinical trial always requires recording the data obtained during the studies. While traditional clinical report forms (CRFs) on paper are still used within the industry, a switch to electronic CRFs is evident. And this is not surprising as the implementation of eCRF software into clinical trials carries a range of benefits with it.
The difference between CRF and eCRF
The transfer of data from paper to electronic has been prevailing in many industries, while medical and pharmaceutical spheres are among those. Many companies decide to take advantage of new technologies and simplify their workflow by implementing innovative solutions. Thus, the shift from CRF to eCRF could be considered a part of this process in the medical sphere.
In fact, a traditional CRF is a questionnaire on paper that researchers use to record the data gathered during clinical trial studies. Such records might comprise the personal data of the clinical trial study participants, their medical analysis information, and the observations noted during the research.
Compared to CRF, the eCRF structure and fields might be the same. However, the records are done in electronic form. Learn everything you need to know about CRFs blog post to discover more about the management of eCRFs and how they differ from traditional record forms in clinical trials.
While paper CRFs are usually kept in dedicated folders and cases of the clinical trial, eCRFs are organized in so-called eCRF software. This makes it much easier to make further analyses about the clinical trial, reorganize the data for future experiments, and manage all the records much easier.
The benefits of the eCRF software
The eCRF software might come as a standalone instance or be included as a part of complex medical programs designed for clinical trial management. Whatever the type of eCRF software is, it helps to bring the clinical trial documentation organization to the next level.
Easy data access
Typically, the eCRF software is installed on-premises, but it could also be connected to cloud services. This provides an opportunity to access gathered data from different places. For example, researchers from several cities can share their data gathered during clinical studies using the cloud-based clinical trial software. Consequently, this greatly facilitates the collaboration of colleagues who are working on the same clinical trial in different locations.
Secure data
Despite the doubts that the data in the electronic format is not as secure as that in the paper form, it is not really so. Thanks to the innovative cryptographic algorithms, data is highly protected in the eCRF software.
Data consistency
Certain fields in the clinical report form might require the data to be inserted using definite measurement units. While the researchers must be sure what format to use in paper forms, the eCRFs make it easier as the software automatically suggests the needed measurement unit up to the latest standards.
Data analysis
While the main purpose of any clinical trial is to draw out the conclusions derived from the study, the eCRF software appears to be a great helper. It allows for data analysis based on the latest approaches in big data management.