Did you know it? The story of paper and decentralized digital clinical trials

The oldest paper dates from between 180 and 50 BC, arrived in Europe (Spain) around 1085 AD, in Germany around 1390 and in England around 1490. In the meantime, we have said goodbye to paper clinical studies and carry them out for the most part digitally. We are also increasingly digitizing other laborious tasks. This increases the quality of the studies, the security of the information and convenience for everyone involved. In addition, costs can be drastically reduced. So-called digital decentralized clinical trials (DDCT) must meet the highest standards. National and transnational authorities and organizations are currently working on new guidelines. Switzerland was the first country to publish guidelines for DDCT in 2021, followed by Sweden, Denmark and China. We are currently waiting for the European and US guidelines — and hope the best for relieving medical staff and their desks!

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