Amanda McDowell

10 IVRS vendors for clinical trials

When managing a clinical trial, there are many moving parts to keep track of, from patient enrollment and randomization to drug supply ordering. Study coordinators use Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVRS) or Interactive Web Response Systems (IWRS) to enter patient information, blind patient information, randomize patients, and keep drug supplies organized for the trial.

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How to create a content calendar for your nonprofit blog

Maintaining a nonprofit blog can help you bring more visitors to your site, engage your community, and amplify your message. But if your organization is like most nonprofits, your team is always strapped for time. A content calendar can help you stay organized and on track with creating regular blog posts for your website.

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5 ePRO clinical trial best practices

In clinical trials, electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) can be used to capture the patient experience in a way that's accessible for patients and creates usable data for the study team. While using ePRO in a clinical trial can ultimately save time, it is crucial to note that planning for success takes some time upfront. We've gathered a few best practices that can help you find a vendor ...

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IWRS vs. RTSM: What's the difference in clinical research?

Interactive Web Response Systems (IWRS) are the technology that clinical trial site managers use to randomize patients and manage drug supplies for a clinical trial. Along with their counterpart from an older generation, Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVRS), the technology once fell under the umbrella term Interactive Response Technology (IRT) — however, Randomization and Trial Supply ...

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The Special Diabetes Program: How JDRF leads the charge for diabetes research

In 2023, legislation was approved to restore previous budget cuts to the Special Diabetes Program (SDP), a key program that funds diabetes research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Our partners at JDRF were heavily involved in advocating for the SDP to be renewed, so we sat down with Cynthia Rice, JDRF’s Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Policy, to learn more.

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Medical Pioneers: Meet Erica Barnes, rare disease advocate

“I have a vision of a world where every single child with a rare disease has a treatment option," said Erica Barnes, founder of Chloe's Fight Rare Disease Foundation. Erica, an emerging powerhouse in rare disease advocacy, came to the field as many do: unintentionally, through a “life interrupted" by a diagnosis.

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What features do ePRO vendors offer today?

Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) allow studies to capture patient information through tablets, smartphones, or other devices. ePRO is a valuable asset, saving site staff time otherwise spent manually entering information from paper diaries, while better engaging patients and increasing compliance. While the technology may involve some up-front planning and investment, patients and ...

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20 nonprofit blog ideas

Maintaining a blog for a nonprofit can showcase an organization's accomplishments and share useful content for a community. However, we know from talking with over 300 nonprofit and health advocacy partners that time and resource restraints can make it difficult to blog regularly.

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From IVRS to IWRS: The evolution of Interactive Response Technology

From enrolling patients to administering a study drug, Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVRS) and Interactive Web Response Systems (IWRS) are crucial to running a clinical trial. The tools, collectively referred to as Interactive Response Technology (IRT), have progressed from staff entering patient information over the phone to include more modern features that help a trial run smoothly.

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Clinical trial patient recruitment: Advice for researchers from the invisible illness community

Managing an invisible illness — one that the outside world can’t see but patients can feel — is a full-time job. While new treatments in this area are necessary and are only possible through clinical trials, many individuals are hesitant to participate. Oftentimes, these studies are not designed with a patient-centric approach, which can deter potential volunteers due to the commitment required, ...

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