The eSOURCE-READINESS ASSESSMENT TOOL (eSRA)

The tool contains questions based on regulations and regulatory agency guidelines for clinical research data sources and should be used to evaluate the suitability of an Investigator Site computerized system to provide data for clinical trials. An eClinical Forum team, comprised of CRAs and Data Managers from different clinical research sponsor organizations and CROs and representatives from sites, has produced the "eSource-Readiness Assessment", otherwise known as "eSRA" for sites to perform a self-assessment of their computerized system's ability to be compliant with clinical research regulations.

Clinical research draws on a combination of data collected during a clinical trial and historical medical information relating to the research subject(s). Many of the data points needed for clinical research are originating in Electronic Health Record Systems, making them "eSource" for clinical research. Even if these data points are not used directly from the site's healthcare system, but are re-entered into a Sponsor's system for a clinical trial, the source of the information (the healthcare system) must still be confirmed as compliant with standards set forth in clinical research regulations and applicable guidance documents.

The eSRA Questionnaire Version 2024 can be downloaded as part of the eSRA Handbook below.  (This version incorporates changes based on the EMA Guideline on computerised systems and electronic data in clinical trials.)

Notice to those intending to include eSRA in their own materials: Copyrighted by the eClinical Forum 2024. The eClinical Forum keeps all rights of this material. Please see the License for Fair Use in the eSRA Handbook and “Implementing eSRA” Guide. We welcome eSRA to be used in other formats, however, it is required that eSRA text be used exactly, that all eSRA questions are included, that your use of eSRA is updated when eCF eSRA is updated, and that eClinical Forum is notified in writing and credited. By using these materials, you acknowledge the terms and conditions for use.  The eClinical Forum is only responsible for the eSRA materials as distributed via the eClinical Forum website. If using the eCF form, downloaded from this website, in it's original format, there is no need to notify eCF.

Stay Current!!

As new regulations are released or updated, the eClinical Forum will evaluate if the eSRA questions should be updated. To be notified of future releases of the eSRA Questionnaire, please send an email to eSRA@eClinicalForum.org. Your email address will not be used for purposes other than to inform you of updates to eSRA.

Sponsors & CROS -- Please take our very brief survey regarding how you are using eSRA.  This will help us improve eSRA. Survey link: eCF eSRA Survey (eclinicalforum.org) THANK YOU!!!

Do we keep a list of sites that have completed eSRAs?

We have frequently been asked if we can provide a list of which sites have already completed an eSRA. Due to privacy laws in different countries, eClinical Forum does not keep such a list. We supply the eSRA questionnaire, free of charge, to anyone who wants to use it. We encourage sponsors to keep a list for themselves of which sites they have received a completed eSRA from. We encourage sites to store their completed eSRA in a central location (such as their IT department) so that other groups within the same organization / using the same electronic healthcare system, can use the completed eSRA as a basis to complete their own eSRA.

eSRA RESOURCES – Scroll to see all resources

eCF REG Team has updated the "eCF Requirements" to include mappings to the EMA Guideline on Computerised Systems and Electronic Data in Clinical Research

Published on 24 November 2023

eCF REG Team has updated the "eCF Requirements" to include mappings to the EMA Guideline on Computerised Systems and Electronic Data in Clinical Research

Members Release MR2023.3

The eClinical Forum REG Team has completed a significant update to the Members-Only 2023 release of the eCF Requirements for Electronic Data for Regulated Clinical Trials (commonly referred to as the “eCF Requirements”).  This updated release incorporates extensive review and mapping of the EMA Guideline for Computerised Systems and Electronic Data in Clinical Research.

The eCF Requirements are being released to eCF Members Only at this time. This living document is a significant accomplishment by the eClinical Forum’s “Regulatory Expert Group” (REG) as they have put in countless hours over several years to be able to produce such a comprehensive list of compliance requirements for evaluating electronic systems that will manage data used in regulated clinical research against regulations and guidances from 41 different documents from FDA, EMA, PMDA, NMPA, MHRA and ICH.  They have now spent countless hours over the past 6 months debating each section of this guidance and how to word the eCF Requirements to correctly meet the needs in the EMA Guideline that went into effect in Sep 2023. This work is a result of the vast experience of the REG members who come from a variety of different eCF Member companies. This V2023.3 release builds upon the V2023.1 and 2 releases with additional and significant mappings and criteria text updates.

If any one company were to undertake such a project, the hours spent would justify an eClinical Forum membership very quickly. For this reason this document is for eClinical Forum members only during an exclusionary period of at least 6 months.  

Non-members can obtain a public release of the V2023.1 (last year’s eCF Requirements) via download from our website in the DOWNLOADS tab and/or we are happy to discuss membership options with you!

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