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. 2023 May 8;7(1):e151.
doi: 10.1017/cts.2023.541. eCollection 2023.

A framework for assessing clinical trial site readiness

Affiliations

A framework for assessing clinical trial site readiness

John B Buse et al. J Clin Transl Sci. .

Abstract

Clinical trial processes are unnecessarily inefficient and costly, slowing the translation of medical discoveries into treatments for people living with disease. To reduce redundancies and inefficiencies, a group of clinical trial experts developed a framework for clinical trial site readiness based on existing trial site qualifications from sponsors. The site readiness practices are encompassed within six domains: research team, infrastructure, study management, data collection and management, quality oversight, and ethics and safety. Implementation of this framework for clinical trial sites would reduce inefficiencies in trial conduct and help prepare new sites to enter the clinical trials enterprise, with the potential to improve the reach of clinical trials to underserved communities. Moreover, the framework holds benefits for trial sponsors, contract research organizations, trade associations, trial participants, and the public. For novice sites considering future trials, we provide a framework for site preparation and the engagement of stakeholders. For experienced sites, the framework can be used to assess current practices and inform and engage sponsors, staff, and participants. Details in the supplementary materials provide easy access to key regulatory documents and resources. Invited perspective articles provide greater depth from a systems, DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) and decentralized trials perspective.

Keywords: Clinical trial sites; adoption and implementation; evaluation; quality improvement; site readiness practices.

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Conflict of interest statement

JBB has contracted consulting fees and travel support for contracted activities paid to the University of North Carolina by Novo Nordisk; grant support paid to the University of North Carolina by Dexcom, NovaTarg, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Tolerion and vTv Therapeutics; payments for consultation from Alkahest, Altimmune, Anji, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biomea Fusion Inc., Boehringer-Ingelheim, CeQur, Cirius Therapeutics Inc., Dasman Diabetes Center (Kuwait), Eli Lilly, Fortress Biotech, GentiBio, Glycadia, Glyscend, Janssen, MannKind, Mediflix, Medscape, Mellitus Health, Moderna, Pendulum Therapeutics, Praetego, ReachMD, Sanofi, Stability Health, Valo, Zealand Pharma; stock/options in Glyscend, Mellitus Health, Pendulum Therapeutics, PhaseBio, Praetego, and Stability Health.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Common principles and domains for site readiness practices for clinical trial site readiness.

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