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Choosing the Right Technologies for Your Patient Data Initiative
Patient Data Initiative Playbook, Part Seven
Harvey Jenner, Principal, Real World Networks, IQVIA
David Voccola, Senior Director, Technology & Registry Strategy, Patient Insights, Experience & Registry Solutions (PIERS), IQVIA
Melissa Rittase, Strategy Lead, Patient Insights, Experience & Registry Solutions (PIERS), IQVIA
Mar 14, 2025

Bringing a patient data initiative to life is exciting, but selecting the right technology can feel overwhelming. With so many options and rapidly evolving tools, it’s important to make informed choices that fit the specific needs of your organization. In this blog, we’ll walk through key considerations to help organizations choose the best technology solutions for their initiatives—keeping it practical, scalable, and aligned with their goals. Read part six of this blog series.


Matching technology to your data needs

Every patient data initiative is unique, and the type of data collected will shape the technology needed. Some projects focus on a single data type, while others integrate multiple sources for a more comprehensive picture of patient health. Whether the data comes from patients, clinicians, or both will also impact tech decisions.

  • Singular data, patient-reported: This is a great option for targeted research projects or public health initiatives that require direct patient input.
    Technologies: Electronic Data Capture (EDC) tools, mobile apps, and patient portals make it easy for patients to share their health information securely.
  • Singular data, clinician-reported: Used in traditional clinical settings where healthcare providers track specific health metrics.
    Technologies: Electronic Case Report Forms (eCRF) integrated into electronic health records (EHRs) help streamline documentation and ensure accuracy.
  • Multimodal data, patient-reported: Collecting multiple types of data directly from patients—like wearable device data, symptom tracking, or self-reported outcomes— will require more robust tools.
    Technologies: Integrated health platforms that support real-time monitoring, patient engagement tools for continuous interaction, and secure cloud storage for easy access.
  • Multimodal data, clinician-reported: This approach combines different clinical data sources, such as lab results, imaging, and treatment histories, to create a more complete view of patient health.
    Technologies: Advanced EHR systems, interoperability solutions that allow seamless data exchange, and AI-driven analytics to make sense of complex information.

Other factors to consider when choosing technology

Beyond the type of data being collected, there are other key factors to keep in mind:

  • Data volume & complexity: Large amounts of data (especially from wearables or genomic sequencing) require scalable cloud storage and high-performance computing to handle processing needs.
  • Patient engagement: If long-term participation is required, a well-designed mobile or web app can boost patient retention by making it easy and engaging to provide data.
  • Data coverage & scope: Some technologies are better suited to collect data for a single care setting, while others (often direct-to-patient) enable the collection of a more wholistic set of data on the patient across care settings and other sources.
  • Regulatory compliance: Be sure the technology aligns with privacy laws like HIPAA, GDPR, and any region-specific regulations that apply.
  • Budget & scalability: Start with cost-effective solutions that fit current funding but choose technology that can scale as the project grows.
  • Team expertise: If the project team has strong technical skills, a self-managed system might work well. If not, a vendor-supported platform could save time and resources.

Setting yourself up for long-term success

Selecting technology should be the final step after careful planning—not the first. Many organizations rush into choosing a vendor before fully defining their project scope, which can lead to inefficiencies down the road. Instead, take a step back and ensure these key questions have been answered first:

  • Why is this the right time for your initiative?
  • What are the main benefits of investing in patient data?
  • Who needs to be involved in decision-making?
  • How will the project be funded?
  • What types of data will be collected, and how will they be used?

Once an organization has a clear roadmap, choosing the right technology becomes much easier. The best tools will support your mission—not dictate it. By taking a thoughtful, patient-centric approach, organizations can ensure their initiative is sustainable, impactful, and capable of driving real advancements in healthcare.

To learn more about how IQVIA can help you with patient data, contact us at ppa-contact@iqvia.com.
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