Six Practices Of High Performing Clinical Research Sites

By Rachel Damrow and Lindsay McNair, MD, MPH, MSB

Clinical research sites have a tough, but critically important, job. We need research sites to help us develop and test new therapies, and to bring new treatments to patients—or to help provide the reliable data that stops the development of unsuccessful projects. It’s rigorous and precise work, but essential to the progress of medicine—and important to the patients who want the option to participate in clinical research.

Many medical practices and clinicians explore the possibility of participating in clinical research studies. According to FDA Form 1572 filings, half of the principal investigators who participate in one study  never participate in a second one. Meanwhile, other investigators continue to add studies and build successful clinical research teams within their practices. Those active, organized sites are essential to support the conduct of clinical trials. So, what are the things that high-performing clinical research sites do that make sponsors return to them again and again?