The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) today releases its initial findings from the first-ever workforce survey on the state of the clinical research enterprise.
More than 735 clinical research professionals cited improved data quality, a growing role for technology providers, and the fulfilling nature of this career, while highlighting continued inefficiencies.
Successes and setbacks were the themes that emerged from the first-ever national survey to gauge ACRP community viewpoints on the clinical research enterprise. This survey was deployed from December 2024 – February 2025.
“When it comes to assessing and advancing the clinical research enterprise, what the members of its workforce think matters,” says Susan Landis, ACRP Executive Director. “ACRP’s survey provides a missing yet critical point of view—the voice of those on the frontlines leading study conduct, interpreting regulatory guidance, and serving as the essential ‘last mile’ with patient engagement. There is good news in this survey, and the great news is that the views of the incredibly valuable clinical research professionals can now be heard.”
The conduct of clinical research has improved over the past five to 10 years, according to 52% of respondents to the Transformation of the Clinical Research Enterprise Survey. Many cited improvements in diversity, equity, and inclusion and more of a focus on diverse recruitment as key reasons for this improvement.
Of those surveyed, most believe that data quality is high (67%), and predict that technology providers will have the most positive impact on clinical trials in the next five to 10 years (73%). They also feel strongly that clinical research will continue to be a fulfilling career (77%).
ACRP partnered with Continuum Clinical to develop and deploy the survey to thousands of clinical researchers as part of the Association’s goal to advocate for—and amplify the voices of—the clinical research workforce.
“Continuum Clinical is delighted to collaborate with ACRP on this important survey,” says Paul Ivsin, Executive Vice President, Trial Engagement Service. “Capturing the insights of clinical research professionals on the past, present, and future of the clinical research enterprise establishes an important measure of change from the core constituents of the ecosystem. The viewpoints that emerge from this survey should be celebrated and acknowledged as key drivers of continued improvement in research.”
In an industry that drives a market estimated at more than $27 billion in the U.S. and projects substantial growth in the coming years, the perspectives of professionals who run clinical research matter.
Findings from the survey will be discussed in a Signature Series session at ACRP 2025 and a full report will be released later this year.
Actionable Insights for Transforming the Clinical Research Enterprise
During ACRP 2025, April 24 – 27, in New Orleans, a panel of industry thought leaders will share the survey findings and propose practical, solutions-based approaches to overcome the reported barriers that hinder successful clinical trials.
Panelists:
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Jeri Burr, MS, RN, PED-BC, CCRC, FACRP, Program Director, University of Utah
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Paul Ivsin, Executive Vice President, Trial Engagement Service, Continuum Clinical
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Edwina McNeill-Simaan, EdD, MSHS, CCRC, CCRP, Program Director, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
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Nancy Sacco, PhD, VP Head of Clinical and Site Development Operations, SiteBridge Research Inc
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Jennifer Sheller, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Trial Operations, Merck
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Pamela Tenaerts, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Medable
Through the lens of transformation, the panelists and audience will explore real-world actionable insights for clinical trial implementation, our current state, where do we want to go from here, and the changes needed to reach an ideal future state. View complete schedule >
