Clinical Research Future

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In considering the future of Clinical Research, we must draw from the past. We have come a long way in clinical research with implementation of more technology such as use of eCRFs, electronic regulatory submissions, electronic drug accountability, etc. These changes have made a huge impact in how we conduct business. They have allowed research trials to be run more efficiently and have reduced our timelines, allowing new drugs to be approved faster. However, with trials becoming more complex this is not without its challenges. This pace that we are operating under will continue with more competition with vendors who provide these services as well as the current vendors as they seek to improve processes. Not all systems that have been …show more content…

While much of the population including older generations have been adapting to the use of computers and iPads, some of the newer systems have challenges. We have all seen the frustration in the coordinators face when they resort to contacting help desks to resolve issues as some of the issues are time consuming fixes. Vendors and sponsors really must focus on more user acceptance testing as well as practice to ease the site and patient frustrations. I foresee patient focus groups getting involved to help develop systems that are friendly for …show more content…

The workforce at the sites is now becoming younger, and many sites do not have any requirements for education level for Coordinators. While there are some who do have some medical courses and training, sites seem to be hiring less experienced coordinators due to lack of interest and low pay grades. The impact of this is quality at sites is going down. With risk based monitoring being adapted, it is becoming more difficult for the monitors to oversee what is occurring at the site in some cases. While PIs have oversight, often they are too busy to ensure adequate training, so it falls on the monitor. New less experienced sites are coming in to research, and this has presented challenges with the monitors having to hand hold. Even though basic training is the site/PI responsibility, I believe in the future, sponsors may consider requiring additional trainings for staff beyond GCP to ensure that sites understand how to run a trial efficiently, basic requirements for the study, and a fundamental understanding of the regulations. The cost of developing a drug has skyrocketed, and if sponsors require additional trainings this may result in less site errors that gravely impact the time to approval and the quality of the

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