Let's talk medical research

In my role at Antidote, I talk to advocacy groups and patient organizations every day, so I have a good sense of patient involvement in the drug development process. But, while I speak to organizations about how they’d like to help accelerate research and provide patients with access to clinical trials, I don’t often hear from patients themselves about how they view their role in the larger ...

Today, liver disease affects 30 million people in the US — one in 10 Americans. And unfortunately, that number is on the rise. To address this head-on, more research is required. And of course, that involves more clinical trial volunteers.

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 ...

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 ...

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.

“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.

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 ...

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.

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.

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, ...