Recommendations for future work
We have several recommendations for future work within trial operations where EHR data is being used. First, it may be useful to consider a site “phenotype” that would reflect the variation in regulatory, contract, and technical capabilities at each site. This classification would support more efficient planning and allocation of coordinating center resources for support. Second, moving towards having EHR systems with capabilities to extract basic trial-relevant data about trial participants would enable more site participation with less reliance on local expertise. Third, a summary of site-specific resources that site staff may consult during the onboarding process and technical work may reduce the level of coordinating center support required. Finally, it will be important to establish open venues to share operational lessons learned, to facilitate the education of new research teams and spur development of institutional resources to guide investigators in this work.