For the past 20 years, we have watched cell phones morph into smart devices that do just about any function you can name. In this same converging trend, video conferencing systems now include “Smart” technologies enabling a multitude of functions to be performed beyond the legacy video conference function. Today, a CNS diagnostic tool has been created specifically for CRO usage using video conferencing.

Symptoms of CNS patients cannot be quantified accurately. Since the off effects of drug therapy for CNS patients involve observations of physical capabilities, motion, reactions, expressions and coordination, reporting outcomes becomes a descriptive task based on subjective interpretation by the CRO clinician. The report contains variances since clinician’s own interpretation is the sole gauging method. Compounding this variance are added factors that may cause bias, such as a noisy room, a glitch in the test method(s) or the manner in which the patient was handled. Under these conditions, trial reports for CNS patients are subject to inaccuracies when compared to the standards set by pharma.  

Video recording of patient’s conditions is the most accurate method to report CNS patients’ progress or deterioration during a trial period. The method using video recording is not new, yet it has never been regularly used as video systems are notoriously difficult to operate and eradicate in reliability. Smart video conferencing technologies enable a simple and fluent application of video recording to capture and report a patient’s progression.

Smart video conferencing systems create a CNS patient diagnostic tool via the addition of modular features such as video recording, voice recognition and artificial intelligence. It also has voice recognition and language translation, making accurate trials in remote global locations attainable.

With video reports in hand, pharma scientists will now have the most accurate information to best comprehend CNS patient outcomes for their drug study.

Guest Contributor Rory Brannigan is the Founder and CEO of ISDM Solutions, a Video Conferencing System provider with worldwide locations. He is considered a leader by his peers in the technical evolution of Video Conferencing systems. For the past 8 years, he has collaborated with a wide range of technology companies bringing together multi-functionality to the video conference market. Rory’s vision of turning video conferencing systems into Smart office appliances is a growing trend in the communication industry.

This article was reprinted from Volume 24, Issue 10, of The CenterWatch Monthly, an industry leading publication providing hard-hitting, authoritative business and financial coverage of the clinical research space. The Action Items section features short columns  focusing on actionable or how-to advice from clinical trial professionals. To submit an Action Item, please contact editorial@centerwatch.com. Subscribe >>