Applied Practice and Possible Leverage Points for Information Technology Support for Patient Screening in Clinical...

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Clinical Trials
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Clinical trials are crucial in medical research, with patient screening being a vital preparatory step.
• Identifying eligible patients requires meeting specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Modern information technology (IT) offers potential solutions to streamline clinical trial screening processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate current tools and methods used for clinical trial feasibility estimations and patient screening in routine practice.
• To identify specific IT support systems and approaches that could benefit clinical staff during the screening process.

Main Methods:

• Semistandardized interviews were conducted with 5 healthcare professionals across 5 wards at a German university hospital.
• Interviewees included clinicians, a study nurse, and a research assistant, all involved in patient screening.
• The study focused on understanding the practical application and perceived utility of IT in screening.

Main Results:

• Current screening relies heavily on manual communication and memory-based estimations, despite available IT options.
• Existing electronic support is minimally utilized; common methods include database searches and free-text analysis of medical reports.
• Staff expressed interest in IT solutions but showed no preference for proactive versus passive systems, indicating satisfaction with current outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Information technology (IT) currently has a limited impact on clinical trial patient screening.
• The reliance on manual methods may strain cognitive resources, potentially impacting clinical routine.
• There is a clear need for improved electronic support and comprehensive staff education on IT's role in clinical trial screening.