MassAITC Webinar: Opportunities for Clinical Research Using a Digital, Decentralized Study Approach
Abstract: Clinical trials are the workhorse of testing new treatments with regards to evaluating the effect they have on health outcomes. Traditional clinical trials and clinical research studies are often centralized around a specific physical location such as a clinic or hospital and rely heavily on a “high-touch”, in-person approach with study staff and coordinators. The downstream effects can have a negative impact on recruitment from populations not affiliated with the site despite potentially benefiting the most from the proposed research. Decentralizing the model and designing for the participant to meet them where they are provides a new paradigm. The advent and continued advance of digital health technologies has added considerable flexibility in the types of research questions that can be asked and answered.
Bio: Edward Ramos, Ph.D., is co-founder of the Digital Trials Center at Scripps Research and is the Chief Scientific Officer of CareEvolution. Dr. Ramos’ work is based on the growing need to rethink clinical research studies by leveraging digital health technologies and embracing decentralized, “site-less” approaches, which can promote broad participation without sacrificing robust data collection. Ed’s leadership roles focus on overseeing implementation of digital research studies in a variety of research contexts including infectious disease, maternal health, sleep medicine, and precision nutrition (where he serves as the primary investigator). Ed prioritizes efforts to address health disparities and to enhance participation in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive manner.