In this online exclusive, Mike Novotny, board member, founder and chief executive officer of Medrio, looks at the rise of real-world data as a result of patient centric approaches and movement towards precision medicine, and how new tech may help with collection and analysis.
digital data
The patient centricity and precision medicine movements have facilitated the rise of real-world data (RWD) and the expansion of clinical research, particularly in post-marketing or Phase IV studies, beyond the sites of randomised controlled trials. From improved patient recruitment to more nuanced insights and beyond, the potential benefits of RWD are many — and new technology, such as mHealth, wearables, and eSource, is making it easier than ever to collect and analyse it. But, even with circumstances aligning to unlock new possibilities in RWD, there are still barriers to be reckoned with. Technology needs to be integration- and offline-enabled. Study designs demand great flexibility. Just how much is really possible with RWD, and what challenges does it present to those looking to capitalise on its potential?