Do I Need Research Staff to Conduct Clinical Trials?

Interested in bringing clinical trials to your medical practice but don't have a research department? That doesn't necessarily have to stop you.

Clinical trials require considerable coordination, documentation, and regulatory oversight. But you don't have to hire an entire research team to get started.

What Does a Research Team Actually Do?

A clinical research coordinator (CRC) helps manage the day-to-day activities of a study, including:

• Scheduling patient visits and tracking study requirements

• Maintaining regulatory documents and study records

• Communicating with sponsors and monitors

• Entering clinical trial data

• Preparing for monitoring visits and audits

Additional support may be needed for regulatory submissions, investigational products, financial administration, and quality assurance.

What If My Practice Doesn't Have These Resources?

That's where a Site Management Organization (SMO) can help.

An SMO provides experienced research personnel and operational infrastructure to support physicians conducting clinical trials.

The physician remains responsible for medical decisions, participant safety, and appropriate investigator oversight, while the research team manages many of the operational details.

Clinical Research Without Building a Research Department

For community physicians, partnering with an SMO can make research participation more practical without the expense and complexity of establishing an independent research operation.

Curious whether your practice could participate in clinical research? Altitude Clinical Research can help you explore your options.