Decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) have evolved from a future concept to a present-day necessity. As protocols become more complex, competition for funding increases, and recruitment challenges persist, traditional site-centric models often fail to keep pace.
“Decentralized approaches provide flexibility and scalability to reach participants where they are,” says Shreya Singh, Senior Associate at Huron, a global professional services firm with extensive experience in higher education and healthcare consulting. “By integrating virtual visits, remote data capture, and digital engagement, we can improve equity, efficiency, and resilience in clinical research.”
Huron works with leading academic medical centers (AMCs) to help address these challenges. In one example, a large AMC in the southern United States implemented a virtual research network that enabled research nurses to consent and engage patients across a broad geographic region. “This approach increased diversity and improved accrual rates, resulting in a participant population that was more representative of real-world demographics,” Singh explains.
In another example, Huron often collaborates with AMCs and health systems to serve as a virtual Clinical Trials Office. This approach enables institutions to outsource critical pre-award and post-award activities, particularly helpful for institutions that may not have the specialized expertise or infrastructure to manage these functions internally. By acting as an extension of their research office, Huron supports their trial operations and reduces administrative burden, allowing teams to focus on scientific priorities and participant care.
Despite common misconceptions, decentralization does not equate to reduced oversight. “DCTs require robust governance structures to ensure patient safety and data integrity,” Singh emphasizes. Institutions can adopt hybrid approaches incrementally, supported by clear standard operating procedures for remote consent, data security, and monitoring.
Rewriting the Rules: Transformative Approaches to Decentralized Research
Join Shreya at ACRP 2026 [April 24-27; Orlando, Fla.] as she explores transformative approaches institutions can take to implement and manage decentralized trials effectively. View complete schedule.
Ethical principles remain foundational, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, alongside alignment with institutional review board and regulatory expectations. Transparency in processes such as remote consenting and data monitoring builds trust and strengthens compliance.
Successfully introducing decentralized workflows demands training, education, and continuous performance tracking. Key metrics include accrual rates, diversity benchmarks, and time to study activation. “Monitoring these indicators ensures that decentralized strategies deliver on their promise without compromising scientific rigor,” Singh says.
DCTs have become a strategic imperative for making clinical research more inclusive, efficient, and participant-centric. “When designed with ethics at the core and supported by strong governance, decentralized models enable organizations to scale flexibly while maintaining quality,” Singh concludes. “Start small, prioritize participant experience, and build workflows that adapt to evolving trial demands. Collaboration is key to rewriting the rules of clinical research together.”
Edited by Jill Dawson
