Flexible approaches to eCOA administration in clinical trials: The site perspective.

The Critical Path Institute convened the Support Flexible Approaches to PRO Data Collection project as part of the eCOA: Getting Better Together Initiative which was instigated to identify and address common challenges and drive positive change with eCOA implementation in clinical trials. The project aimed to identify clinical trial stakeholders' concerns related to electronic PRO (ePRO) implementation and propose areas of improvement via simplification and flexibility. One workstream focused on patient-/site-centric approaches for simplification and surveyed representatives of clinical sites and site monitors for their perspectives. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed and distributed via snowball sampling to site professionals and clinical research associates (CRAs) that had ePRO experience who had been identified via representative groups or sponsor-led site networks. Responses were received from various site roles across a range of global regions; the largest contribution was from the United States. Topics raised included helpdesk capabilities, technical concerns, device types, and user interfaces among others and are discussed further in this paper. The feedback derived from the questionnaire provided the basis for concrete ideas that sponsors should consider incorporating into protocol design for participant visits, technology use, devices, and methods of back-up data collection.

Teaching lifestyle medicine competencies in undergraduate medical education: active collaborative intervention for students at multiple locations.

The aims of this study are to 1) design feasible active collaborative educational approaches to teach and assess three of the newly described lifestyle medicine (LM) competencies to students at multiple locations; and 2) determine whether a mixed, flexible instructional delivery approach impacts students' learning and perception of confidence in LM. The educational interventions were part of the undergraduate clinical medical education curriculum and have two parts: 1) an asynchronous session [online self-learning module (SLM)], and 2) a synchronous session using case-based collaborative learning delivered either mostly face to face, as determined by the instructor (approach A) or mostly virtual, as determined by the student (approach B). Both approaches were delivered in the curriculum as planned to 27 students in approach A (26% attending virtually) and 31 students in approach B (90% attending virtually). Approach B required more planning time. Approach A students (26 of 27) agreed that the SLM was valuable as an educational tool. The performance in the summative assessment was similar (P = 0.49) in both approaches [means (SD): 33.2 points (SD 10.6) approach A vs. 33.2 points (SD 10.1) approach B]. Students reported a similar increase in confidence (P = 0.33) with setting lifestyle change goals. The two educational approaches presented here address three of the new LM competencies using active collaborative learning. Both approaches are feasible for synchronous delivery to students located at local and distant sites, either face to face or virtual. The increase in the proportion of students attending virtually did not decrease the measured outcomes of learning and perceptions of confidence.

Risk-based monitoring: Review of the current perceptions and toward effective implementation.

The United States Food and Drug Administration issued a guidance to industry in August 2013 on risk-based approach to monitoring. This prompted industry (sponsors and contract research organizations) to brainstorm, conceptualize, and implement risk-based monitoring (RBM) in their clinical studies and programs. The acceptance and implementation across the organizations have been variable in terms of pace and methodology. Published literature, commentaries, and views through Internet search were reviewed to understand the perceptions about RBM of different key stakeholders whose function has been significantly impacted, as these highlight ground-level challenges while implementing this major change. Some solutions are proposed to address these perceptions and challenges, as sooner than later RBM will become a way of life, given that recent ICH E6, revision 2 (November 2016) includes RBM in the document. Conceptual clarity, change management, skillset, and capacity building will be the key areas of focus to make RBM successful.

Sitios clínicos, eslabón fundamental en la calidad de un ensayo clínico / Clinical sites, a fundamental pillar for the quality of a clinical assay

Introducción: el Centro Nacional Coordinador de Ensayos Clínicos (CENCEC) tiene como función fundamental la realización de ensayos clínicos a nuevos productos de la Industria Biotecnológica y Farmacéutica cubana. Desde el año 2008 tiene implementado un Sistema de Gestión de la Calidad que trabaja basado en la mejora continua de sus procesos. Un factor de suma importancia para el buen desarrollo y garantía de los resultados de sus investigaciones, es el trabajo que brindan los sitios clínicos. Objetivo: determinar las principales dificultades detectadas en los monitoreos realizados en los sitios clínicos. Métodos: la evaluación de la calidad del trabajo de los sitios clínicos en el primer semestre del año 2011, se realizó teniendo en cuenta el cumplimiento o no de los requisitos planteados en la Guía de Buena Práctica Clínica para la investigación clínica. Resultados: las principales dificultades se enmarcaron en los acápites de la institución, en los requisitos correspondientes a los recursos necesarios, a aspectos vinculados con el Comité Ética Institucional y en lo referido a las calificaciones y acuerdos con el investigador; aspectos estos que inciden en el cumplimiento de las Buenas Prácticas Clínicas por parte de los sitios clínicos, lo cual repercute en la calidad del servicio brindado por el CENCEC. Conclusiones: este trabajo sirve como punto de partida para la mejora continua del Sistema de Gestión de Calidad de la organización a fin de encaminar los esfuerzos a la total aplicación del principio de las relaciones mutuamente beneficiosas con los proveedores(AU)

Introduction: the National Coordinating Center of Clinical Assays (CENCEC in Spanish) has the fundamental function of performing clinical assays in new products from the Cuban biotechnological and drug industry. Since 2008, the Center has the quality management system in place to continuously improve its processes. A key factor for good development and assurance of the results of its research is the work of the clinical sites. Objective: to find out the main difficulties in the monitoring of the clinical sites. Methods: the evaluation of the work quality of the clinical sites in the first semester of 2011 took into consideration the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of the requirements set in the Good Clinical Practice Guide for the clinical research. Results: the main difficulties are found in the sections of the institutions, in the requirements for necessary resources, in issues linked to the institutional ethics committee and in qualifications and agreements with the researcher; these are aspects having an impact on the fulfillment of Good Clinical Practices by the clinical sites, which also affects the quality of service rendered by CENCEC. Conclusions: this paper may serve as a starting point for ongoing improvement of the quality management system of the organization in order to direct our efforts to the total implementation of the principle of mutually beneficial relationships with the suppliers(AU)

Sitios clínicos, eslabón fundamental en la calidad de un ensayo clínico / Clinical sites, a fundamental pillar for the quality of a clinical assay

INTRODUCCIÓN: estudios realizados acerca de la prevalencia de la hipertensión arterial en Cuba, muestran valores entre un 20 y un 40 por ciento de la población adulta. En la actualidad se dispone de un amplio arsenal terapéutico para el tratamiento de esta afección y se conocen los criterios higiénico-sanitarios que permiten mantener los niveles arteriales dentro de la normalidad. La falta de adherencia a la pauta terapéutica es común en las enfermedades crónicas. En el caso de la hipertensión arterial, las cifras de no cumplidores alcanzan límites realmente preocupantes, cerca del 40 por ciento para el tratamiento farmacológico y entre el 60-90 por ciento en las medidas higiénico-dietéticas. El incumplimiento hace ineficaz el tratamiento prescripto, lo que ocasiona un aumento de la morbilidad y mortalidad. OBJETIVO: evaluar la adherencia al tratamiento con antipertensivos en una muestra de pacientes hipertensos. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio observacional y descriptivo. La muestra estuvo constituida por pacientes de un área de salud del municipio San Miguel del Padrón en La Habana, Cuba. La adherencia se midió empleando el testde Morinsky-Green-Levine, la frecuencia de adquisición del medicamento en farmacia y el control de la presión arterial. Las variables estudiadas fueron edad, sexo, tipo de terapia y adherencia. RESULTADOS: predominaron los pacientes hipertensos del género femenino, del grupo correspondiente a las edades de 70 a 79 años, que emplean la politerapia principalmente. Resultaron adherentes y controlados solo el 30,4 por ciento de los casos estudiados. CONCLUSIONES: se evidencia la necesidad de continuar la labor educativa del paciente hipertenso en esta comunidad, principalmente acerca de la importancia de la adherencia al tratamiento en la hipertensión arterial(AU)

INTRODUCTION: studies on the prevalence of hypertension in Cuba show figures ranging 20 to 40 percent of the adult population. At present, there is a wide therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of hypertension whereas health and hygiene criteria to maintain blood pressure levels within the normal range are known. The non-adherence to the therapeutic regimen is common in chronic diseases. As to blood hypertension, the numbers of noncompliant patients is a real concern since about 40 percent do not follow drug treatment and 60-90 percent of them do not comply with the hygiene and food requirements. Non-compliance makes the prescribed treatment ineffective leading to increased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the adherence to antihypertensive treatment in a sample of hypertensive patients. METHODS: observational and descriptive study of a sample of patients from a health area of San Miguel del Padrón in Havana, Cuba, for which the test Morinsky-Green-Levine test, how frequent the drug is purchased at the drugstore and the blood pressure control were used to measure adherence to treatment. The study variables were age, sex, type of therapy and adherence. RESULTS: female hypertensive patients aged 70 to 79 years-old and using polytherapy in the main predominated. Just 30.4 percent of the studied cases adhered to their treatment and were under control. CONCLUSIONS: there is a real need of continuous educational work aimed at the hypertensive patient at the study community, mainly on the importance of adherence to treatment in hypertension(AU)

Estrategia para la preparación de unidades de salud en buenas prácticas clínicas / Strategy for the preparation of health units for good clinical practices

Introducción: El entorno regulatorio mundial es cada vez más exigente para establecer, implementar y mantener el cumplimiento de las buenas prácticas clínicas (BPC). En Cuba, una respuesta necesaria derivada del desarrollo creciente de la industria farmacéutica y biotecnológica nacional fue la creación del Centro Nacional Coordinador de Ensayos Clínicos (CENCEC). Una de las misiones del CENCEC es preparar a las unidades-sitios clínicos seleccionados que realizan investigaciones clínicas, para su posterior certificación en BPC por la autoridad reguladora nacional, con la finalidad de avalar la calidad que corresponde al proceso de investigación clínica que redunda en una esmerada atención y protección al paciente objeto de estudio. Objetivo: Describir la estrategia del CENCEC para la preparación en BPC de los sitios clínicos seleccionados del Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) que participan en ensayos clínicos. Métodos: Se revisan más de 250 documentos normativos emitidos por Europa, Estados Unidos, Japón y los países nórdicos relacionados con aspectos prácticos y éticos para la implementación de las BPC. Se elabora una estrategia para la preparación de los sitios clínicos en BPC concebida en 4 etapas: 1) concepción técnica del proceso y organización documental, 2) selección de los sitios clínicos, 3) diagnóstico y evaluación pre-intervención y 4) preparación para la certificación. Resultados: Se identificaron 80 sitios clínicos que realizan ensayos clínicos en Cuba, de los cuales se seleccionaron 11 para la aplicación de la estrategia. Se elaboró un manual de preparación de los sitios en BPC con los aspectos de mayor impacto en el cumplimiento de las BPC. Se realizaron 40 visitas a los sitios clínicos seleccionados, 12 diagnósticas, 24 de seguimiento, una de inclusión de nuevos sitios, y 3 de declaración de Listo para Certificación...(AU)

Background: The global regulatory environment is increasingly demanding to establish, implement, and maintain the compliance with Good Clinical Practices (GCP). In Cuba, The National Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials (CENCEC) was created as a necessary response derived from the increasing development of the national pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry. One of the missions of the CENCEC is to prepare selected clinical units/sites that conduct clinical research for a further certification in GCP by the national regulatory authority in order to guarantee the quality that corresponds to the process of clinical research, resulting in a careful attention and protection of the patient under study. Objective: To describe the strategy of the CENCEC for the preparation of good clinical practices in the selected clinical sites of the National Health System (SNS) that participate in clinical trials. Methods: More than 250 regulatory documents issued by Europe, the United States, Japan and the Nordic countries, related to ethical and practical aspects for the implementation of good clinical practices, were reviewed. A strategy for the preparation of clinical sites in GCP was conceived in 4 stages: 1) technical design of the process and document organization, 2) selection of the clinical sites, 3) diagnosis and pre-intervention evaluation, and 4) preparation for certification. Results: 80 clinical sites that conduct clinical trials in Cuba were identified, of which 11 were selected for the implementation of the strategy. A manual for the preparation of the sites in GCP with aspects of great impact in compliance with GCP was created. 40 visits were made to the selected clinical sites, 12 of them were diagnostic, 24 were follow-up visits, 1 was made for the inclusion of new sites, and 3 for the statement Ready for Certification...(AU)

Estrategia para la preparación de unidades de salud en buenas prácticas clínicas / Strategy for the preparation of health units for good clinical practices

Introducción: El entorno regulatorio mundial es cada vez más exigente para establecer, implementar y mantener el cumplimiento de las buenas prácticas clínicas (BPC). En Cuba, una respuesta necesaria derivada del desarrollo creciente de la industria farmacéutica y biotecnológica nacional fue la creación del Centro Nacional Coordinador de Ensayos Clínicos (CENCEC). Una de las misiones del CENCEC es preparar a las unidades-sitios clínicos seleccionados que realizan investigaciones clínicas, para su posterior certificación en BPC por la autoridad reguladora nacional, con la finalidad de avalar la calidad que corresponde al proceso de investigación clínica que redunda en una esmerada atención y protección al paciente objeto de estudio. Objetivo: Describir la estrategia del CENCEC para la preparación en BPC de los sitios clínicos seleccionados del Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) que participan en ensayos clínicos. Métodos: Se revisan más de 250 documentos normativos emitidos por Europa, Estados Unidos, Japón y los países nórdicos relacionados con aspectos prácticos y éticos para la implementación de las BPC...

Background: The global regulatory environment is increasingly demanding to establish, implement, and maintain the compliance with Good Clinical Practices (GCP). In Cuba, The National Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials (CENCEC) was created as a necessary response derived from the increasing development of the national pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry. One of the missions of the CENCEC is to prepare selected clinical units/sites that conduct clinical research for a further certification in GCP by the national regulatory authority in order to guarantee the quality that corresponds to the process of clinical research, resulting in a careful attention and protection of the patient under study. Objective: To describe the strategy of the CENCEC for the preparation of good clinical practices in the selected clinical sites of the National Health System (SNS) that participate in clinical trials. Methods: More than 250 regulatory documents issued by Europe, the United States, Japan and the Nordic countries, related to ethical and practical aspects for the implementation of good clinical practices, were reviewed...