Geofencing for Automated Event Detection and Case Management

This technical report examines the use of geofencing technology on the Linkt platform for the automatic detection of adverse events in clinical trials. It outlines the process of utilizing location data from participants' mobile devices to identify when they cross predefined geographic boundaries, such as hospitals or clinics. The report details findings from two studies, including a community-based COVID-19 study and a vaccine clinical trial, highlighting the performance of geofencing in capturing hospital visits. It presents data indicating a high detection rate of 96.7% for distinct hospital boundary crossings, with an overall miss rate of 3.3%. The report also discusses the factors affecting detection, such as device capabilities and participant behavior, and the implications for improving the specificity of geofencing in identifying potential hospitalizations. Additionally, it describes the integration of a chatbot system for confirming hospital visits and reporting symptoms, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the geofencing approach.