Are “Virtual Trials” Mainstream Yet?
While some completely virtual trials are taking place, the real trend involves bringing virtual trial components to traditional study designs to improve study efficiency and reduce participant burden.
While some completely virtual trials are taking place, the real trend involves bringing virtual trial components to traditional study designs to improve study efficiency and reduce participant burden.
For almost a decade, the FDA guidance on humanitarian use devices (HUDs) dated July 8, 2010 has been the go-to document for industry, FDA staff, clinicians/users, and IRBs to understand how to apply the regulations at 21 CFR 814.100, which govern the approval, use, and review of HUDs. Since then, amendments to the HUD program have been made by a variety of federal actions.
Social media holds tremendous promise in the research sphere but requires sensitivity to pertinent regulatory and ethical considerations. Sponsors and investigators looking to incorporate social media into their research toolbox should devote themselves to understanding the details of particular social media platforms and work closely with their IRB to understand and apply the regulatory framework.