Inspiration
My journey into health tech was inspired by a personal experience where my health was at risk, and thanks to the medical professionals who assisted me, I was able to recover fully. This experience ignited my passion for leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes and prompted me to explore opportunities in the health tech sector. Additionally, I drew inspiration from articles and research discussing the challenges in clinical trials and the potential for artificial intelligence to address these issues. One article by David B. Fogel, in particular, outlined factors associated with challenges in clinical trials, providing valuable insights into areas where technology could make a significant impact.
What it does
The Trial Pathway application streamlines the clinical trial process by leveraging the ClinicalTrials.gov API to allow prospective patients to search for studies. It provides comprehensive information about each clinical trial, including study details, contacts, outcome measures, and recruitment information. The application facilitates communication between patients and researchers, enhances patient recruitment, and extracts data for training AI models to detect points of failure in the clinical trial process.
How I built it
The Trial Pathway application was built using the Flutter framework with Dart programming language, enabling cross-platform development of mobile applications. PostgreSQL with AACT (Aggregate Analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov) served as the database, providing comprehensive trial data sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov. Postman was used for API interaction and testing, ensuring proper integration and functionality. Facebook's BART NLP model was utilized for summarization, improving the accessibility and utility of the application.
Challenges I ran into
Building the Trial Pathway application presented several significant challenges, with two main areas standing out prominently.
1. AACT Database Integration
One of the primary challenges revolved around integrating data from the AACT (Aggregate Analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov) database into the application. Mapping the extensive information available in the database to emulate the ClinicalTrials.gov page proved to be a daunting task. Given that many attributes in the database are nullable, I had to implement additional methods to handle these empty fields gracefully. Additionally, as SQL queries are not my strongest subject, I had to enhance my skills in this area through dedicated learning resources. Utilizing learning pathways such as Hands-on Practice SQL Learning Path on LinkedIn Learning provided valuable insights and practical knowledge to overcome these hurdles.
2. Time Constraints
Another significant challenge was navigating time constraints due to existing commitments to work and home responsibilities. Balancing the demands of professional and personal life while dedicating time to develop the Trial Pathway application proved to be a daunting task. As a result, I had to make strategic decisions to prioritize essential features and functionalities, leaving out less critical elements to focus on showcasing the core aspects of the application effectively. Despite these challenges, the time constraints served as a valuable lesson in time management and prioritization, ultimately contributing to the successful completion of the project.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
I am pleased to have developed a comprehensive and user-friendly application that addresses key challenges in the clinical trial process. The Trial Pathway application enables seamless communication between patients and researchers, streamlines the recruitment process, and empowers individuals to make informed decisions about participating in clinical trials. My accomplishment lies in creating a solution that has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes and contribute to advancements in medical research.
What I learned
Working on the Trial Pathway project provided invaluable learning opportunities across various domains, significantly enriching my skill set and knowledge base.
1. Understanding Clinical Trial Processes
Developing this application offered a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the intricate process of designing and executing a clinical trial. Through research and implementation, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the various stages involved in clinical trial management, including protocol development, patient recruitment, data collection, and analysis. This firsthand experience broadened my perspective on healthcare processes and the critical role technology plays in streamlining clinical research efforts.
2. Flutter Development Proficiency
Trial Pathway served as a platform to enhance my proficiency in Flutter app development, particularly in theme management, state management, and API integration. By immersing myself in the Flutter framework and exploring its capabilities, I gained hands-on experience in implementing robust theme management strategies, efficient state management techniques, and seamless integration of external APIs. This project propelled my skills in mobile app development to new heights, empowering me to create intuitive and feature-rich applications with Flutter.
3. Professional Growth and Development
Beyond technical skills, working on this project marked a significant milestone in my professional growth journey. It bridged the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, allowing me to apply theoretical concepts and principles in a practical setting. By adhering to best coding standards and practices throughout the development process, I cultivated a meticulous approach to software engineering and honed my ability to deliver high-quality solutions that meet industry standards. This project represents a transformative learning experience, showcasing the synergy between theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, and underscoring the importance of continuous learning and professional development in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
What's next for Trial Pathway
Moving forward, I plan to implement several enhancements and features to further enhance the functionality and utility of the Trial Pathway application. Our future plans include:
Moving forward, we plan to implement several enhancements and features to further enhance the functionality and utility of the Trial Pathway application. Our future plans include:
- Creating a view where researchers can search for potential patients
- Adding functionality for patients to pick a study and access pathway and communication features
- Connecting the project to MongoDB for data storage
- Implementing Firebase authentication and potentially ML Kit for advanced features
- Continuously iterating and improving the application based on user feedback and emerging technologies.
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