The Great Data-Capture Debate: Why Protocol-Driven eSource Is The Answer For 80% Of Sites

By Jonathan Andrus

Clinical trials increasingly depend on digital data capture to improve quality and efficiency. Traditional approaches — where sites manually record notes and later transcribe them into centralized systems — introduce errors, delay insights, and inflate operational costs.

A protocol-driven eSource strategy guides data collection workflows around the study’s defined requirements, helping sites capture high-fidelity data directly at the point of care and according to protocol logic. This approach acknowledges that many research sites—especially independent and community-based centers—do not use electronic health records (EHRs) as part of routine operations, and therefore need flexible, study-centric digital forms rather than one-size-fits-all solutions layered onto clinical systems.

By aligning data collection with site workflows and study objectives, teams reduce manual transcription, improve compliance, and accelerate access to reliable data for monitoring and analysis. Exploring integration pathways between site-centric eSource and sponsor systems will further enable seamless workflows and richer data insights.