Table 1 Potential advantages and challenges of decentralised trials compared with traditional clinical trials

Advantages

 Faster recruitment

 Expanded geographic reach

 Greater diversity and equity of trial participants with respect to race, language, socio-economic status

 Lower burden on participants (e.g., travel time and costs)

 More patient-centric

 Measurements can be more frequent

Challenges

 A level of digital literacy is required

 Participants may feel overburdened with the devices they need to use at home

 Additional infrastructure, training and IT support are required

 Some patients prefer face-to-face clinical contact