Challenges such as outdated data processes, ineffective study design, and lack of understanding can create obstacles in clinical studies around complex diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). How can sites and sponsors harness advanced data capture practices to overcome challenges faced in SLE trials? 

Traditionally, convenience of protocol execution for sites has not been a major factor in clinical trial design. But you have to wonder why, given that sponsors depend on sites to properly perform the exacting, daily work of patient management and data collection. Common sense dictates that considering site workflows and providing tools that support effective protocol execution would benefit all stakeholders by easing the burden on sites while reducing errors and producing higher quality data. One such consideration is systems that allow sites to capture data electronically, during the patient visit. According to a survey by the Society for Clinical Research Sites, 79% of sites found it helpful to record data in a direct data capture (DDC) solution. (2017, Why Is Clinical Source Data Still Collected on Paper?)