Using open source technology to virtually implement a patient recruitment system for COVID-19 clinical research and disease monitoring in Greece

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus crisis has activated healthcare administrations and personnel at highest level. Health informatics software tools and innovative e-governance policies can contribute to this point. In a previous study, we proposed a nationwide biomedical registry framework, that it could be valuable as a healthcare management tool of eGov Health, additionally. Methods: Translating COVID-19 outbreak in health informatics terms, we developed virtual COVID- 19 datasets to demonstrate a generic COVID-19 patient recruitment system in Greece. An open- source JS library was also used to develop a custom interactive map in order to display valuable information for clinical trial researchers and crisis managers. Results: Results indicate our proposed application enhances the clinical trial processes to recruit eligible patients as a clinical trial cohort. Registered physicians - clinical researchers can overview available COVID-19 patients per health unit, nationwide. The implemented virtual web maps provide a helpful visualization of COVID-19 crisis in Greece. Conclusion: Our proposed recruitment system could function both as a PRS and a DSS tool under infection diseases parameters. We strongly believe our application has generic eGov potential, both as an enhancing tool to design a clinical trial and as a healthcare crisis management tool.