Assess the frequency and necessity of remote clinical research practices during acute stroke clinical trial enrollments. 

Enrollment in acute stroke clinical trials is complex and time-sensitive, often requiring dedicated research teams.  Individual team members may not be available “on-site” at the time of an enrollment, a limitation that may be overcome through remote research practices such as telemedicine and electronic informed consent. 

Fifty-four patients (42 enrolled patients, and 12 screened/consented-only patients, median age 75 [IQR 64-83], 54% female, and median NIHSS 13 [IQR 8-22]) were included in our study.  Twenty-six (48%) patients were screened vial telemedicine (primary reason: 12 [22%] provider off-site, 6 [11%] patient at remote hospital, 4 [7%] study coordinator remote, 3 [6%] COVID precautions, and 1 [2%] other).  Twenty-seven (50%) patients or their legally authorized representatives were consented remotely via telemedicine or phone with electronic consent (primary reason: 12 [22%] provider off-site, 6 [11%] patient at remote hospital, 3 [6%] study coordinator remote, 5 [9%] COVID precautions, and 1 [2%] other).  Twenty-eight (67%) patients were randomized remotely (primary reason: 4 [10%] provider off-site, 19 [45%] study coordinator remote, 5 [12%] COVID precautions). Twelve patients (28%) had their study intervention overseen remotely (primary reason: 7 [17%] provider off-site, 2 [5%] study coordinator remote, 2 [5%] COVID precautions, and 1 [2%] other.