As clinical trials become increasingly complex and decentralized, the role of clinical research coordinators (CRCs) has evolved beyond traditional operational responsibilities. This article explores how CRCs are driving digital transformation in clinical trials, the operational challenges they face, and the essential strategies needed to build a resilient, research-ready workforce for the future.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping clinical research, with some of its most impactful applications emerging in patient pre-screening and recruitment. By analyzing electronic health records at scale, AI can match potential trial participants to complex eligibility criteria in a fraction of the time required for manual review.

Clinical research professionals working for study sites, clinical research organizations, and sponsors share a commitment to developing medications, medical devices, and other treatments designed to improve and extend quality of life. It’s a higher calling, and we as a clinical trial industry should be proud of these and other accomplishments. But at the same time, as an industry we aren’t living up to our highest potential—and it is the patients who endure the consequences of delayed new treatments and inefficient clinical trials that don’t always represent the full population.