People Management & Leadership in Clinical Trials | Issue 3 | 25th Feb 2021
We have all had to adapt massively in terms of how we design and deliver clinical trials over the last year and even without a pandemic, the delivery of a clinical trial to the highest scientific standards can be challenging in today’s complex clinical trials environment. Any lead role within a trial, whether it be as a PI, project manager or other position, can encompass a range of responsibilities. This can include everything from protocol design to budget oversight, and will run from the trial planning phase until completion of the study report or manuscript for publication. It also can involve the need for adaptation, such as what to do if the trial progress deviates from the plan, if recruitment is slower than forecasted, interim analyses show unexpected results or if funding changes. A seasoned leader is prepared for these challenges and manages to redirect its project and the team accordingly. But this is something that is not always easy.
In this edition we have bought together articles written by some very experienced leaders in clinical trials, which highlight challenges they have faced during their research careers, as well as some of the lessons COVID-19 may have taught us. Enjoy!
Dr Vanessa Raymont (Director, Oxford Brain Health Clinical Trials Unit)
Please click the links below to read this month's articles:
References
Koychev I, Lawson J, Chessell T, et al. Deep and Frequent Phenotyping study protocol: an observational study in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. BMJOpen 2019, 9:e024498. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-02449 Kretchmer, H 2020, Why ‘video call fatigue’ might be making you tired during lockdown and how to beat it, viewed 10 Feb 2021, <https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/05/zoom-fatigue-video-conferencing-c...
Special thanks to Dr Belinda Lennox, Professor Craig Ritchie, Dr Johannes Klein, Ms Nyla Haque & Professor Simon Lovestone for their valued contributions to this edition.