IntraLinks has provided the results of its Global Investigator Site Survey, examining what methods are currently used for clinical trial document exchange and the effectiveness of those methods. Respondents included clinical research coordinators, investigators and sub-investigators. The survey was conducted by CenterWatch and included 598 responses, with 70% of respondents based in North America, 21% in Europe, and 9% in Asia Pacific.

The survey findings show that the majority of investigator sites (73%) are using traditional methods — e-mail, courier and fax — as a primary tool for clinical trial document exchange. A relatively small number of respondents (25%) are using web-based document exchange tools as their primary method. According to the survey, investigator sites are experiencing inefficiencies and productivity challenges as a result of the ongoing use of those traditional forms: 59% of respondents track due dates for information, current status or milestones manually, 66% spend at least two hours per week searching for documents, and 74% report resending documents to sponsors and CROs at least once or twice a week.

The survey found that respondents recognize the benefits of web-based clinical document exchange tools: 68% cited being able to access updated information right away and reducing the amount of paper, 62% cited being able to keep track of information easily, and 47% cited not spending so much time searching for information as a benefit.

The survey findings also showed that most respondents are conducting numerous studies and those that use online clinical tools such as EDC and clinical portals have a significant number of passwords and logins: 87% have conducted three to 15+ studies during the last 12 months, 57% are running four to 15+ concurrent studies, and 47% have at least three to 10 passwords and logins, while another 20% have more than 10.

“The survey reinforced the challenges that investigator sites are continuing to face and showed their willingness to use web-based clinical document exchange tools to help alleviate these issues,” said Linda Bowers, vice president of Life Sciences Product Marketing, IntraLinks. “Sponsors and CROs have to consider investigator sites’ needs and the clinical community perspective as they deploy clinical trials in order to reach optimal productivity gains and efficiencies.”