Protocol Design
The purpose of the Protocol Design Stop is to design a Protocol for the Decentralized Trial, accounting for Quality as a critical element (Quality By Design, or QbD).

Description
Clinical protocol design is the process of creating a detailed plan for a clinical trial, including the study objectives, design, methodology, and statistical considerations Decentralized clinical trials protocol design includes defining the processes, technologies and services needed to allow the trial to be conducted at locations other than a traditional clinical trial investigator site with patients participating from their homes or other locations.
DCT-specific Considerations/Inputs
Describe the DCT components as text within the protocol and Informed Consent Form (ICF)
Glossary of Terms
DCT Curriculum
Design Optimized DCT with Engaged Stakeholders
Glossary of Terms
Best Practices
DCT Curriculum
Seek Patient Input
Develop Informed Consent with DCT specific information. Develop recruitment plan and collateral (Patient facing materials )
TransCelerate: eConsent Implementation Guidance; Supporting Tools and Resources
Biomarker / Digital Biomarker Needs
Technology and Data Standards
Data Connectivity
Consider cultural "norms of practice" that might differ between locales involved in the DCT (Change Management: "Site Adoption Concerns")
Regulatory Documents
FDA/U.S.
Conduct of Clinical Trials of Medical Products During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (See Q&A)
ViewFDA’s Guidance on Decentralized Trials and Digital Technology
View21 CFR Part 50 and Guide to Informed Consent
ViewU.S. FDA Draft Guidance Document: Digital Health Technologies for Remote Data Acquisition in Clinical Investigations
ViewFDA Guidance on Conduct of Clinical Trials of Medical Products During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
ViewU.S. FDA Final Guidance Document: Conducting Clinical Trials With Decentralized Elements Guidance for Industry, Investigators, and Other Interested Parties - September 2024
ViewEMA/Europe
ICH E9 statistical principles for clinical trials - Scientific guideline
ViewEMA Guideline on computerised systems and electronic data in clinical trials
ViewThe Danish Medicines Agency’s guidance on the implementation of decentralised elements in clinical trials with medicinal products
ViewPosition paper by Swissmedic and swissethics on decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) with medicinal products
ViewEuropean Medicines Agency Recommendation Paper on Decentralised Element in Clinical Trials Version 01, 13 December 2022
ViewGuidance on the Management of Clinical Trials During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic
ViewReference Documents
Advancing the Use of Mobile Technologies in Clinical Trials: Recommendations from the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative - PMC (nih.gov)
ViewACRO : Decentralized Clinical Trials
ViewAdvarra : Defining Decentralized Clinical Trials and Understanding Their Nuances
ViewEuropean Forum GCP eConsent initiative - Suite of eConsent Tools
ViewTransCelerate : Modernization of Statistical Analytics Solutions
ViewTranscelerate Modernizing Clinical Trials
ViewFive Key Considerations for Designing and Implementing Decentralized Clinical Trials
ViewTransCelerate eConsent Supporting Tools & Resources
ViewMRCT IRB/EC Considerations - Full Document
ViewMRCT IRB/EC Considerations - Participants & Technology
ViewCTTI Recommendations: Decentralized Clinical Trials
ViewCTTI Resource: DECISION TREE: OPTIMIZING YOUR PROTOCOL DESIGN
ViewCTTI Resource: HOW TO IDENTIFY & PRIORITIZE TRIAL STAKEHOLDERS
ViewCTTI Considerations for Advancing the Use of Digital Technologies for Data Capture & Improved Clinical Trials
ViewNIH - Informed Consent for Research Using Digital Health Technologies
View