News By: Emily Norris

Technology has undeniably contributed to growing chaos at research sites. Seventy percent of sites report using more than six systems per trial, and for the first time, managing these systems is their top challenge. The impact is significant: 52% of sites are struggling to take on new studies, and sponsors are seeing a 45% increase in timelines from protocol approval to first-patient-first-visit. 

Clinical research training for research-naïve staff members can successfully enhance clinical trial–readiness at community cancer centers, according to the findings of a recent collaboration between Roche/Genentech, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC), and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). 

Long-standing concerns over if, when, and how to compensate clinical trial participants for the time and effort they put into studies are akin to a “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” dilemma for many research practitioners. 

Community engagement is an important step in increasing diversity in clinical trial enrollment. Engagement involves a conversation with members of the community, with a goal of building trust by being of service in ways most important to that community. This should happen long before any discussion about clinical research or a specific trial, meeting individuals where they are and understanding—and helping address—their needs and concerns.  

With a focus on prioritizing patient and investigator needs, the traditional sponsor-contract research organization relationship is evolving to include sites as part of the partnership matrix. This, combined with the increasing adoption of Functional Service Provider delivery models, has made determining the right balance of control and accountability for each party a critical factor in successful outsourcing partnerships.