Streamlining Clinical Studies: The Urgent Need for a True Single Sign-On (SSO) Solution Across All Sites and Studies
In the rapidly evolving landscape of sponsor-driven clinical studies, the demand for efficient and time-saving solutions has never been more critical. Clinical staff shortages have intensified since COVID. As a result, sponsors must empower existing teams to do more in less time.
In this post, we’ll explore the challenges posed by the shortage of clinical staff and how implementing a unique type of Life Sciences SSO – Secure Access Manager (SAM)™ — can streamline processes, enhance productivity, and ultimately improve the pace of clinical studies.
The Challenge of Clinical Staff Shortages
Clinical studies are at the forefront of medical advancements, and essential to sponsor viability. However, the shortage of clinical staff poses a significant obstacle to the seamless execution of these studies. As the workload on the remaining staff intensifies, finding ways to optimize their workflow becomes paramount. Traditional authentication methods — such as multiple logins and complex password requirements — contribute to unnecessary time delays and can lead to increased stress on already strained resources.
The Case for a Universally Accepted SSO for Life Sciences
Generally, SSO is a technology that allows users to access multiple applications and systems with a single set of credentials. SSO allows users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials. In clinical studies, this approach reduces the authentication burden on staff. Here’s how SSO can make a substantial difference:
- Time Efficiency: Clinical staff often need to access various platforms, databases, and applications throughout the day. With SSO, they can log in once and seamlessly navigate between systems, eliminating the need for repetitive logins and saving valuable time.
- Reduced Cognitive Load: Remembering multiple usernames and passwords for different systems can be mentally taxing. SSO streamlines the authentication process, allowing clinical staff to focus more on their core responsibilities without the distraction of managing numerous credentials.
- Enhanced Security: SSO not only improves efficiency but also enhances security. With a centralized authentication system, organizations can enforce robust security measures, ensuring that sensitive, proprietary data is protected against unauthorized access.
- Adaptability to Mobile Work Environments: Clinical staff are often on the move, requiring access to study data from various locations. SSO facilitates secure and convenient access to critical information, promoting flexibility in work environments.
Why SAM™ and Its Unique Life Sciences Community Approach is the Ideal SSO Solution for Your Studies
SAM™ leverages over 650,000 Life Sciences identities across existing sites to unlock greater benefits than standard SSO. A critical challenge to sites is the initial onboarding that takes over 7 minutes per app for each user.
Example: A user onboarding with 7 applications showing 7 minutes per app
Time-saving Impact
Even with a relatively small number of applications per study, each user will accumulate nearly an hour of lost time onboarding per study.
Existing SAM™ users can drastically reduce onboarding time. Productivity improves immediately, dropping from 49 minutes to just one minute. With most sponsors, the number of site users with existing SAM™ identities will be significant, given our community includes users across 30,000 sites. For brand-new SAM™ users, they only require a one-time 7-minute onboarding as opposed to 7 minutes for each new app.
1-minute process to access all study Apps for Existing SAM users
When you consider that the average study has over 11 apps any given user must access, the time adds up quickly. Sponsors can accelerate onboarding by delegating access management to site coordinators. Bulk invitations and faster user identification further eliminate access bottlenecks.
Sponsors no longer need to manage these identities and their accompanying baggage and risk. Users no longer get frustrated with a bunch of new passwords and eventual lockouts and lost time.
The financial impacts associated with maintaining multiple passwords grow fast. Even simple password resets carry financial impact. Over time, these costs can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to Forrester Research, each individual password reset costs $70. Factor in the productivity lost in onboarding for highly paid staff and you have a double-whammy on the bottom line.
Last but not least, productivity loss may mean the difference in meeting a milestone for a trial, which may mean a setback in eventual drug approval. With so much standing in the way of trial performance, it’s crucial to avoid compounding staff shortages with a strategy that doesn’t include universal SSO.
Streamlining Authentication Processes Can Improve Trial Performance
In the face of a shortage of clinical staff, adopting technologies that optimize workflow and enhance productivity is not just a preference but a necessity. A Single Sign-On (SSO) solution such as SAM™ that leverages a large existing pool of Life Sciences users can play a key role in addressing the challenges posed by the current study landscape. SSO streamlines authentication and reduces cognitive load. As a result, clinical teams can contribute more efficiently to study progress. As trials continue to evolve, embracing technologies like SSO becomes a strategic imperative, ensuring that clinical studies can proceed at an accelerated pace without compromising data security or the well-being of the dedicated professionals at the heart of these critical initiatives.
More Resources
Contact our team of experts to learn how Exostar’s SAM™ can help revolutionize your clinical trials as the only SSO solution that combines subject matter expertise, vertical market experience, and broad acceptance in the Life Sciences industry.
It will be our pleasure to conduct an analysis and show how our unique SAM™ Life Sciences Community can help you.
About the Author
Martin O’Malley is the Director of Life Sciences at Exostar® and has spent his 20-year career optimizing clinical workflow with the application of digital solutions. Martin is a member of several nationally recognized health data organizations and attended Tulane School of Law.
