This week, we look at the potential impact of decentralized clinical trials.

During the The COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen increased adoption of this kind of study, as part of a general movement towards greater use of innovative digital platforms for collecting and distributing clinical data.

As well as improving the experience for patients and doctors, the approach could enable researchers to collect data in a faster and more efficient manner.

It is perhaps no surprise then that the number of drug trials with a virtual or decentralized component exceeded 1,000 in 2021, a 50% jump from the previous year.

According to analysts, 2022 will be another record year, with around 1,300 such trials expected to initiate.

However, given the tightly regulated nature of the industry, how far can we expect this kind of research to replace trials conducted within a more controlled clinical setting?

With me to discuss these issues is Francesca Rinaldo, director of clinical quality and innovation at Sharecare.