Telemedicine in France: A review of registered clinical trials from 2000 to 2015

Abstract

Summary Introduction Telemedicine activity is increasing in France. The assessment of telemedicine research, however, including registered clinical trials, has yet to be published. Using an international open access database (ClinicalTrials.gov), a study was conducted to identify registered telemedicine clinical trials in France from 2000 to 2015. Materials and methods The data extracted on 6th August 2015 led to the retrieval of a total of 41 studies, of which 39 were included. Results The first registered telemedicine clinical trial was received in 2006 and the latest in 2015. The studies were primarily conducted by public hospitals (66.7%), followed by private companies (20.5%). The objectives of the studies were primarily treatment based with all having efficacy and/or safety endpoints. Sixteen trials were in the recruiting phase, 12 were completed and four were terminated before the date of completion. The main telemedicine activities in the studies involved telemonitoring (n = 28), teleconsultation (n = 7) and tele-expertise (n = 3). Ten medical specialties were represented in the trials with a key focus on cardiology, endocrinology and pulmonology. Discussion and conclusions Telemedicine clinical trials have increased in France most evidently since 2011. The use of an open clinical trials database enabled characteristics to be described. A telemedicine registry may be necessary to improve future research as well as to enhance evidence-informed health policies regarding telemedicine activities in France.