In the latest instalment of the Medical Research Network (MRN) webinar series, hosted by Nic Goatman (VP Commercial), panelists Graham Wylie (CEO and Chairman) and Helen Marks (Site Operations Director) shared their insights on the evolution of Decentralised Clinical Trials (DCTs). Reflecting on industry changes from the pandemic to the present, the discussion explored how hybrid models can balance innovation with site support.
The Pandemic Surge and Industry Pivot
When the pandemic emerged in 2020, standard clinical trial operations ground to a sudden halt, causing trial cancellation rates to triple across the industry. MRN experienced a massive surge in demand as contingency plans were implemented, moving from processing 25–30 proposals per month to roughly 170.
While digital tools and wearables gained attention early on, direct-to-patient shipments and in-home nursing visits proved to be the most practical and lasting solutions to maintain trial continuity.
Navigating Post-Pandemic Site Burdens
As operations normalized, many trial designs defaulted back to traditional site-based models. The panel highlighted several key factors behind this trend:
- System Overload: Sites face significant operational burden from managing disparate platforms (IRT, eCRF, lab vendors) across multiple trial sponsors. Adding new, non-mandatory DCT systems often creates additional administrative overhead and training demands.
- Market Consolidation: A wave of DCT vendors emerged during the pandemic boom, but many failed to sustain long-term operations due to a lack of experience in complex clinical execution.
- Site and Patient Relationships: Traditional site-based care builds crucial trust between clinical staff and participants. Fully decentralized models risk weakening these relationships if not integrated thoughtfully.
Finding the Right Balance: The Hybrid Future
Moving clinical trials forward requires viewing DCT tools not merely as novel technology, but as resource enablers designed to boost recruitment and retention.
Rather than pushing for fully remote trials, the ideal model is a flexible hybrid approach. By combining home-based care for routine visits with strong site oversight, sponsors can expand geographic reach while maintaining high-quality patient care and supporting site workflows.
You can watch a recording of the webinar below or download a PDF with the executive summary here.