The Investigator's Perspective: Navigating Tech Burden in Clinical Trials

In the world of clinical trials, the perspective of the principal investigator (PI) is invaluable. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. James Andersen of Accel Research Sites Network, a clinical investigator with 18 years of research experience, to discuss the challenges he faces with the multitude of technologies required for the studies he works on.

Dr. Andersen shared his candid thoughts on the difficulties of managing multiple vendors and systems, and the impact of these challenges on his workday. He also spoke about his experience with VersaTrial, a collaborative study organization platform that has transformed his team’s approach to managing clinical trials.

Vendor and Credential Management

Dr. Andersen paints a vivid picture of the complexity of managing multiple vendors and systems. "There were fourteen vendors needed to hand out a flu shot," he recalls of a simple flu vaccine study he previously conducted. “There's one company that sends a drug out, another company that picks it up. Someone else does this. Someone else does that. And that's one study. We have a dozen studies, you do the math.”

Each vendor requires separate credentials, a situation that quickly becomes overwhelming when managing multiple studies. The result is a significant amount of time spent on administrative tasks. "It gets burdensome, fatiguing, frustrating. On our end, it makes it very difficult," comments Dr. Andersen. 

"It gets burdensome, fatiguing, frustrating. On our end, it makes it very difficult"

VersaTrial: A Game-Changer 

Despite the challenges, Dr. Andersen has found a transformative solution in VersaTrial to consolidate and access important study information such as technology portals, login credentials, and external contacts for each clinical trial. "I've used VersaTrial every day now, and it's very simple. All my studies are all there, and all the stuff I need is right there," he shares. "It's been helpful. And it just made life easier for me as an investigator"

"I've used VersaTrial every day now, and it's very simple. All my studies are all there, and all the stuff I need is right there. It's been helpful. And it just made life easier for me as an investigator"

VersaTrial's collaborative nature extends beyond just the investigators. Dr. Andersen explains, "We have a large group. We've got ten thousand square feet in this one building here, so we have people all over the place. And so everybody can access this according to what their role is in the study." 

This inclusive approach ensures that everyone involved in a study, regardless of their role, can access the necessary information. The result is improved organization and efficiency across the board, with investigators like Dr. Andersen reaping the benefits without having to manage the administrative details. This streamlined approach not only makes life easier for investigators but also enhances the overall efficiency of the clinical trial process.

The Benefits for Sponsors

The benefits of VersaTrial extend beyond the investigators to the sponsors as well. "I think the main thing is that [it shows Sponsors that] people are organized here, especially investigators. They will get better service, faster action," Dr. Andersen explains. "We always emphasize the quality, But timing is very important. Because they have all these deadlines." 

"I think the main thing is that [it shows Sponsors that] people are organized here, especially investigators. They will get better service, faster action." 

By reducing the technology burden on investigators, VersaTrial allows them to focus on what they do best: conducting high-quality research. This, in turn, benefits sponsors by ensuring they receive accurate data in a timely manner.

So while technology has undoubtedly brought many benefits to clinical trials, it's clear that there is a need for solutions like VersaTrial that streamline processes and reduce the burden on investigators. By doing so, we can ensure that the focus remains on advancing medical science and improving patient care.