How technology is changing healthcare

Information systems are set to come together to make clinical research even more accessible
Doctors Looking at Computer
As our information systems come together it clinical research becomes increasingly effective. Photograph: Corbis Super RF / Alamy/Alamy

"Imagine a world" is a phrase we use a good deal at present, as we tell people how our information systems will come together in 2014, to deliver an integrated solution for the performance management of clinical research.

Integration of systems within the clinical research environment is a global pursuit, which is gathering momentum. But if we consider the datatopia we are all in search of, there remains a considerable distance to travel.

In twenty years, we envisage a world in which there is a global standard, recognised across all governments and life-sciences industries, for the sharing of information and the collaborative recruitment of patients. If a scientist in Boston in the US needs a participant with a rare disease and a set of criteria that are complex, the scientist can place that call for participants within the information system, asking for a patient globally to come forward to take part in the clinical trial.

In twenty years, we envisage a world where an electronic healthcare record sits across care settings and enables the real time collection of data about a patient in a clinical trial. Anonymisation capabilities within these systems means life-sciences companies and academics can track any patient episode through the clinical system, knowing the exact impact of illness on trials and developing a broader understanding of the real-world efficacy of trial drugs.

We envisage a world where integrated information systems enable more people to take part in leading-edge research, where critical information can be gathered directly and automatically from the clinical system of each country taking part.

In this world, the way health information is collected is making a significant difference to the experience of study participants. Technology is making study participation much easier, with mobile devices enabling more studies to be supported in patients' homes. This means taking part in a clinical research study is less intrusive and more people are likely to take part.

All in all, the potential impact of the modern information system on health and fitness is staggering. The speed and size of global studies can be increased. The transparency and openness of the information can improve the public perception of clinical trials and help the clinical research community collaborate more effectively. Systems will be able to collect real time data and trace the efficacy of new drugs beyond traditional study-phase timelines.

Some of these imaginings may seem fantastical, but many of them are possible now. They just need mainstreaming to deliver the datatopia global healthcare needs.

Richard Corbridge is NIHR Clinical Research Network chief information officer

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