COVID-19 and Clinical Trial Activity - Impact and Future Considerations in Norway

At a time where COVID-19 has disrupted healthcare systems globally and halted clinical trials, technology is playing an increasingly important role in engaging with patients. Social distancing and lockdowns have marked our daily lives and limited the capacity in healthcare systems as well as affected access to care and participation in trials. Through semi-structured expert interviews with relevant actors in the Norwegian clinical trial community, this thesis has explored the responses to the challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative content analysis was conducted to structurally approach the topic, whereof the categories COVID-19 impact, trial designs and digitalization were the most talked about. The results suggest that the impact of COVID-19 on clinical trials in Norway has led to delayed trial activity, increased use of digital tools for communication, and protocol adjustments that have allowed for alternative trial elements. While some are looking forward to going back to normal after a challenging pandemic, the responses also reflect a heavy engagement in patient-centeredness and trial flexibility by use of virtual and decentralized trial elements in new trials. This thesis reflects on the impact and response in public and private organizations following the pandemic and the increasing need for new frameworks to be developed in clinical trial management to pursue a holistic approach to care in preparing for future global health crisis