Overcoming The Protocol Intimidation Factor

By Beth Harper, Chief Learning Officer at Pro-ficiency

Skill and procedure rehearsals play a crucial role in various operations, especially those that involve collaboration among multiple individuals and departments. Just like no Broadway play would debut without thorough testing of all its components working harmoniously, clinical trials also require proper preparation.

Despite needing to access how well a protocol is operationalized at each site, the efforts could endanger patients and lead to deviations that prolong the trial's completion, incurring additional time and cost if not carried out correctly. According to industry professionals, it is not uncommon for sponsors to expect different sites, each with distinct infrastructures, experiences, and staffing, to embark on a complex protocol without any rehearsal beforehand.

While this practice is atypical, it can pose significant risks to the success and integrity of the trial. What's more, as the years have progressed, protocols have become much more complex in the clinical space. Read this article to learn how study sites can reduce obstacles throughout the process and greatly reduce the protocol intimidation factor.