Patient registries have immense scope in improving healthcare. They can analyze patient data and decipher which drugs and treatments report better patient outcomes. As a result, patient registries are now used all over the world. But no two patient registries produce the same results. Using patient registries the correct way will dictate if it achieves its key objective. However, many medical organizations and stakeholders make common patient registry mistakes that can hamper the registry’s success.
If you want to ensure the patient registry’s objective is achieved, you need to be careful to avoid some key errors. This way, you can ensure the patient registry is focused on its objectives from start to finish.
1. Choosing a Vague Objective
Every patient registry requires a specific objective. The whole registry will then center on that goal. Therefore, every patient registry needs some degree of planning. Failing to do that will result in a vague objective that can be difficult to work towards. This objective needs to be shared with the entire patient registry team to enhance the efficiency of clinical trials.
2. Choosing a Small Minority of Patients
It’s understandable that you may have access to a limited patient population, but try to extend the scope where possible. A limited patient population is one of the primary concerns and criticism against patient registries as this limits the data set. You might miss out on important information that could produce indispensable findings. In this digital age, communication is easier, so make the most of it to engage a larger patient population.
3. Short-Term Data Collection
When you start a patient registry, understand that it is a long-term commitment. You need to keep collecting and adding data that could improve the patient registry. The team needs to be prepared to collect data from ongoing sources. Inconsistencies in data collection can prove detrimental for the patient registry, defeating its entire purpose.
4. Not Marketing It
Initiators of patient registries think that once they have created the patient registry, everything will flow automatically. For the most part, it will. But given how important patient-focused registries are, you need to ensure you recruit a larger patient population. Many patients hesitate to participate, but adequate marketing can solve this problem. Make sure you reach out to patients and let them know how their contribution will ultimately help them learn more about a disease or condition. You should also address any patient privacy data concerns that may be hampering their participation.
5. Choosing the Wrong Patient Registry Software
If you want your patient registry to be successful, you need to choose a strong base for it. Selecting a flexible, reliable, and secure patient registry software solution will make a drastic difference to your project. Most people get tricked by prices. A higher price doesn’t necessarily mean better software and a cheaper one might cost you more money in the long run.
How to Solve Common Patient Registry Mistakes?
If you want your patient registry to do well, start off with the basics. Choose the right patient registry software solution that can be steered to achieve any objective you want. This decision will ensure that you can easily add more information as you go, ensuring you have a reliable and informative patient registry.
