In just a few decades, clinical trials have changed dramatically. Twenty years ago, most of the data used in clinical research was entered on paper, but today it can come from sources as varied as sensors, smartphones, and electronic health records (EHRs). The COVID-19 pandemic has brought even more changes as pharmaceutical companies rush to adapt remote methods for collecting data and conducting visits so that patients can be kept safe. In addition, trials for new COVID-19 vaccines and treatments must be set up very quickly and be able to adapt to mid-study changes in near real time.
