The last post in this series focused on the Impediments in clinical research that affect Investigator Motivation and ultimately, Momentum in a clinical trial. Those impediments obviously can be irritants, but there are many other things that result in site irritation. Don’t underestimate the effect that irritations can have on a clinical study and the reaction that can result from sites. When you’re out for a walk and a single raindrop falls, you might not think too much of it or change your path. If the volume picks up and becomes a deluge, you’re going to react (at least I hope you do). Investigator Motivation decreases in a clinical trial long before the irritations become a storm.

A significant factor in recruitment for participants and conduct of clinical trials is Principal Investigator / Site motivation. A motivated investigator can motivate study staff and increase recruitment potential for a trial and decrease site related issues. Conversely, an Investigator or clinical trial site that is not motivated or loses motivation during a trial can result in recruitment slowing or completely halting. It is not uncommon for sites to silently quit studies they were once excited about. This series of articles will examine the 4 I’s of Investigator / site motivation and unpack what can be done to optimize clinical trial conditions.