CRO PPD seeks to improve patient retention in clinical trials by engaging participants more fully with the study process and information about their illness through a new online portal, according to Pharma Times.

Leveraging Microsoft HealthVault, a personal health application platform that allows users to gather, store and share health information online, PPD PatientView is a secure and customizable online portal linking clinical trial participants with biopharmaceutical companies, physicians and healthcare resources.

Participants can view, share and electronically archive medical information related to their illness, as well as communicate with the study team and stay connected with related activities, such as the trial registry and monitoring program. The PatientView technology allows patients access to the personal data they contribute to the study on a per-visit basis.

The rationale is to help clinical trial participants play a more active role in managing their own health while enhancing their sense of involvement and engagement in drug development. The consequence of that, PPD hopes, will be better retention rates.