Virtual trials may allow clinical research to go on amid the quarantine and lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 crisis.

In a recent interview, PreCare Trial & Recruitment (PT&R) co-founder Vivienne van de Walle discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical trials and shared her opinion on the need for virtual trials.

She said they were not seriously affected because they have already developed SOPs for virtual visits.

Their problem is their trial sponsors who are concerned with missed face-to-face meetings between researchers and clinical trial participants due to quarantine measures.

van de Walle supports Direct-to-Patient trials and the use of video consultations for virtual visits.

She said these methods can be used even for vulnerable patient groups and can facilitate remote unblinding.

When it comes to the fight against COVID-19, PT&R has already donated masks and hand sanitizers and helped in the diagnostic immune response testing of medical personnel.

But van de Walle said they want to do more and are interested in working on a COVID-19 vaccine trial.

3 KEY POINTS

1. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected face-to-face visits and other important aspects of clinical trials.
2. PT&R co-founder Vivienne van de Walle supports the use of video consultations for virtual visits and Direct-to-Patient trials.
3. She is interested in working on a COVID-19 vaccine trial.

“No one knows where the COVID-19 pandemic is going, how long it will last. We are trying to be as helpful as we can,” says PreCare Trial & Recruitment (PT&R) co-founder Vivienne van de Walle.

Article source: http://www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com/need-virtual-trials-site-s-perspective

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