Castor EDC is a data collection software for use in medical research, and is suitable for use in prospective, retrospective, and registry studies.
Features include self service eCFR creation (form building), randomization, ePro (patient surveys), monitoring, easy import and export of data, EHR data importer (HL7 FHIR based), audit trails, user management, and much more.
We are fully ISO 27001 certified, GCP & 21 CFR compliant and provide servers in US (HIPAA compliant), UK, NL, DE
Castor EDC gives users the ability to define the structure of their study, with phases and steps, and to add in advanced data validation options or limits through drop-down menus. Field dependencies can also be set, defining the conditions under which certain fields should be shown. The number of fields and data points per study is unlimited, and data is immediately saved during entry by an auto-save feature. Users can also import data in CSV and Excel formats, and export data in CSV, Excel, and SPSS formats for further analysis.
Castor EDC automatically generates a full audit trail, detailing changes to data, who made them, and when they occurred, and reason given for the changes made. Data is automatically backed up four times per day, with 256-bit SSL encryption and certified data centers designed to protect against data loss or improper access. Role-based access permissions give users control over which individuals can see specific data, based on the user, their institution, or the form being accessed. Castor EDC also forces users to select strong passwords, and automatically logs users out when they are inactive.
Castor EDC also provides optional modules for randomization, offering stratified weighted randomization with an option for variable block randomization, patient surveys, and monitoring workflow tools.
Pros
After a quick initial learning curve the system is easy to build out without having someone on staff that is an IT expert. Our clinical study managers are able to build out each study with little to no help from Castor. The database is easy to use by both clinical sites and sponsors. The company continues to improve the features of the system and provide webcasts to review the changes and answer user questions. The value can't be beat. As an early-stage start up company we are happy to have found a high-quality compliant system we can afford.
Cons
The one feature we feel is lacking is the ability of an investigator to "batch approve" once they have reviewed the data. It is labor intensive to approve each study visit and each record generated. Other systems provide this ability and investigator's expect this from all systems.
Castor has a good customers service who supports you when you encounter any difficulties and provides you with helpful tips/solutions.
Pros
It is easy for a non-experienced database builder to create your own database using Castor.
The database is easy to use for data-entry, monitoring and creating reports or surveys.
You can add a lot of users and adjust the rights for each of the users.
As an admin you have a clear overview on the progress of the study in all participating sites and you get a message every time a patient is included in the trial.
Cons
Sending out surveys is still a manual task, it would be great if by just entering the participants' email address, the surveys are sent automatically.
The ability to build our own research forms and surveys, quickly and in GDPR compliant way is a massive help for us as it has drastically reduced the cost of this and also the time it takes to get the forms built. It means we can do research faster and cheaper and with compliance headaches handled.
The support from Castor has been amazing. They are very quick to respond (even to stupid questions!) and gave us huge support before we signed up.
Pros
We literally have found tons of uses for Castor. The ability to build your own forms quickly and knowing the data is stored in a GDPR Compliant way is a HUGE help for us. Also the validation options in the fields are really good / ensure high level of data quality. And Also, The SPSS export function is really a great help too!
Cons
The Surveys do not work well on Mobile phones and most of our research participants would use them that way.
CASTOR incorporates everything that I wanted from an electronic data capture program, and is so easy to use that everyone can work with it.
Pros
CASTOR for me is the answer to electronic data capture. It is easy to use, you have full control, it is safe and data from several sources can be incorporated. Can be used by the investigator, monitor as well as the participant for answering the questionnaires. I also like the fact that the software keeps being developed and better features are added regulary. Communication is excellent.
Cons
The help section is sometimes a bit hard to work through. Also would like to have a printable version of the manual (esp. for instructions to people using the ready-made castor forms).
Pros
What I like about Castor is that I can create a user-friendly database that will also create a user-friendly output, i.e. that I can already prepare the data as much as possible to make data analysis easier.
Cons
More possibilities regarding surveys would add even more value: automatic reminders to subjects to complete their survey, notifications if surveys have not been completed yet (in addition to the existing notifications that surveys have been completed).
Pricing is based on study type (prospective, retrospective, or registry), number of inclusions (patients or records), study duration, number of participating centers, and any additional modules required, including randomization, patient surveys, and monitoring.
Discounts are available for nonprofit organizations.
Users can define study phases and steps, select from drop-down menus of advanced data validation options, set field dependencies, and create advanced calculations to be instantly displayed within and across forms.
There is no limit on the number of fields or data points in a study, and data is automatically saved as it is entered, with four automatic backups per day.
Data can be imported in CSV and Excel formats, and exported as CSV, Excel, and SPSS formats for further processing or analysis.
Full audit trail is automatically generated, with electronic signing of certain parts of forms, and explicit confirmation with reasons for any changes made.
Role-based access permissions allow users to define who can see what data, with authorizations per user, institution, or form.
256-bit SSL encryption, strong passwords requirements, and automatic inactivity logout are designed to keep the system secure and compliant.
Below are some frequently asked questions for Castor EDC.
Castor EDC offers the following pricing plans:
Starting from: €150/year
Pricing model: Subscription
Free Trial: Available
Pricing is based on study type (prospective, retrospective, or registry), number of inclusions (patients or records), study duration, number of participating centers, and any additional modules required, including randomization, patient surveys, and monitoring.
Discounts are available for nonprofit organizations.
Castor EDC offers the following features:
Castor EDC has the following typical customers:
Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Non Profits, Public Administrations, Small Business
Castor EDC supports the following languages:
Dutch, English
Castor EDC has the following pricing plans:
Subscription
We do not have any information about what devices Castor EDC supports
We do not have any information about what integrations Castor EDC has
Castor EDC offers the following support options:
FAQs, Knowledge Base, Online Support, Phone Support, Video Tutorials
Very positive. It's a compliant, easy to use, intuitive system that is affordable.