Semiautomatic Recruitment of Trial Patients Using ELGA Data: Conceptual Design and Implementation of an IT Tool

Reuse of EHR data can substantially improve the recruitment process of clinical trials. As shown earlier, Shared EHR systems are particularly attractive data sources. The goal of this work was to conceptually design and implement a user-friendly tool for semiautomatic trial recruitment using ELGA data. The tool applies a web-based client (Vue and Electron frameworks) - server (Django-Python and Java server, SQLite database) architecture. Trial eligibility criteria are expressed as XPaths. Access to ELGA documents is simulated using the eHealth Connector library and the IHE XDS Open eHealth Integration Platform framework. Usability was optimized in expert interviews with investigators of two active trials. First feedback based on synthesized ELGA test data indicates suitability for clinical end users. Further insights are expected from applying the tool to real ELGA data.