Methods of Collecting Files or Media in Forms
Forms can be built to collect any file type, including images and video. This is done by using any of the following form objects in the form builder.
Images and video fields are typically used when media needs to be collected real-time during data entry. For example, a Participant filling out a form and taking a photo of the study device or substance they received in the mail. Images and video taken natively on the mobile app will be stored as .jpg and .mpeg files respectively.
Alternatively, files that exist already (collected in the past) can be uploaded on a form via a file upload field. This includes any type or format or file.
Accessing and Viewing Files
As files get collected throughout the various forms on which they are collected, the file repository is a good way to centrally access all of those files. This is usually a preferred alternative to accessing the files directly on the forms/records where they were collected.
Files can be opened and viewed directly within the web browser or mobile app to prevent the need for downloading the file locally.
Downloading files from a form is unavailable by default to prevent files from being transferred to local computers. However, anyone with access to the file repository is able to download the files for fields they have access to (field blinding enforced).
TrialKit Drop with Box
For studies or projects that require large files, such as high resolution images or videos, to be uploaded, upload fields on forms are not an ideal approach. For this reason, CDS offers a separate solution - TrialKit Drop to serve the purpose of gathering large files over a web connection.
File sizes of up to 150 GB are supported on upload using TrialKit Drop. However, it is important to consider upload limitations of the end users’ web connections and computers. An average internet connection can take an hour to upload a 10GB file.
When enabled on a study, users access can upload a file on a specified URL, via a button on any form.
Here's an example:
.png "image(825).png")
That link then opens a common secure study-specific Box file location for the user to upload their file(s). The file drop location can contain custom content as shown in this example:
.png "image(826).png")
FAQs and Troubleshooting For File Collection
What file formats does TrialKit support?
Any file format can be uploaded on a file upload field.
What size of files can be uploaded
We recommend under 500mb to prevent a high waiting period for the file to load. However, it will be possible to go as high as 750mb before session timeout issues start to occur on web browsers.
Consider the use of TrialKit Drop tool if your project requires larger file sizes to be uploaded and stored.
Is DICOM file format supported?
Yes, the dicom format can be uploaded and stored, but have a greater potential of running into storage limitations due to the inherent file size that many DICOMs have. For that reason, DICOM storage and viewing can be done use TrialKit PACS.
In File Drop, large media files are moving slowly or not getting uploaded
When uploading large files over the web, there are factors to consider:
Dropped connections
Significant internet bandwidth limits by the local internet provider
Firewalls, which can greatly slow down or even prevent uploads
Computer remaining active (not going to sleep part way through the upload process)
Computer memory availability, if other tasks are being performed while the memory is trying to send the file data over the web at the same time
With that being said, if any users have an issue with uploads, a good place to start looking is an internet upload speed check: https://www.google.com/search?q=internet+speed+test
Users at study sites should also check with their IT department to monitor the computer activity during one of the uploads and assist with any firewall or network restrictions.