Patient-facing Study Websites
One of the features of 'Clinical Trial Portal' is that it allows to set one of the Projects inside the Portal as 'Public Project'. The actual content of this public Project can then be used to create a 'regular' website.
The ability to create Patient-facing Study websites has proven to be valuable as it allows to inform potential trial participants (patients) about the ins and outs of an ongoing trial or research project.
To get an impression about the functionality of a trial website, have a look at the Meniscus Study website.One of our clients (Active Implants) is using this platform to inform potential subjects about the meniscus implant they are investigating. The study website allows potential subjects to connect directly with a participating Investigator.
More information on this topic, including a price indication, can be found at Patient-facing Study Websites.
Using a study website allows to include video's, graphical explanations of treatment details, study documents, Informed Consent documents, etc.
Furthermore, as all standard Portal tools are available in the public website, a web-based screening form can also be included. As well as information on the participating clinical sites and their contact details. Content of each web-page can be fully customized, links to investigator's personal web-pages can be included.
Click on a topic for more details:
'Intelligent' & Personalized Website
The Portal's built-in technology is used to create what we call a 'Personalized website'. That is, the information displayed and the actual content can be adjusted for different users.
A typical example would be that when a visitors has entered all information in the Screening form, and returns to the website, he/she will be automatically forwarded to the Study Information Page. And of course the information as provided earlier on the Screening Form is automatically linked to a returning user.
As regulations or MEC requirements can be different between countries, the portal can ensure that users will get the proper information aimed at their country.
Multi-Language
Patients should be addressed in their local language. The Portal allows content to be translated into as many local languages as needed. As most of the content is provided by the Portal owner (our client), it does imply that the client is responsible for the actual translations. The Administration panel of the Portal has a Translation module which allows to provide translations of website content.
Based on the IP address of the visitor, the portal will automatically present the proper language. When needed any visitor can select from the available languages. Have a look at www.meniscus-study.com for a live overview of language-handling.
Online Screening & Site availability
Using the Portal’s Survey module, an administrator can create an online survey and include in the public website.
Based on the result of the screening, and other information, menu options can be enabled or disabled. In the current example (Figure 2.), once all answers have been provided, the ‘Continue’ button will be enabled and a menu option ‘Study Center Info’ will be enabled.
Based on a visitors eligibility, and the distance to the nearest site, an overview of participating clinical sites will be shown to the visitor (Figure 3.).
Visitor Statistics
What makes our study website rather unique is the ability to track detailed information by using the underlying Portal database.
Some of the available information is:
- How many of the website visitor have entered / completed the Screening questionnaire.
- How many of those who completed the Screening are actually Eligible versus non-Eligible.
- And if they are Eligible, how many have actually used the email button to send out a contact request to a participating Site (and to which Site).
Patient Privacy and IRB Approval
Using a website to inform potential trial subjects about a trial is part of the Informed Consent procedure, no difference with any paper information you provide to subject. As such, the actual content of a Trial website has to be approved by the Institutional Review Board(s) (IRBs).
In order to meet existing regulations, the privacy of subjects is completely guaranteed. For example, when a visitor sends an email to a site, we do not keep track of the visitor’s email address.
It also implies that you need to be carefull with the wording of the information on your study website. Again, no difference with paper documents you provide to trial subjects.
Google Adwords
In most cases, using a Study Website will be combined with using Google Adwords. Adwords will allow you to show a little Add whenever a person enters a relevant search term in Google and will then be redirected to the Study website whenever the Add is clicked.
Using Google Adwords has been fully integrated into the Portal’s study websites as the Portal allows to keep track of which visitor arrived at your study website using Adwords, and which of your Adds was actually clicked.
PCs, Tablets & Smartphones
There is a growing trend for website visitors to use other devices than the regular PCor Mac. As can be seen in the following chart (based on actual data of a Study Website), just as much visitors use a smartphone as the combined total of PC's and Tablets.
Each Study Website is using 'Responsive Web Design'. This implies that the website automatically scales to the proper screen resolution. Thus allowing to be accessed from all devices.
