Site and Participant burden poem

In November, Ted spoke at the CNS Summit 2022. The topic was Site and Participant burden in clinical trials. To kick off the discussion, Ted presented a poem he wrote for the event.

Collaborating for novel solutions is why we are here,
But is our industry getting it wrong? That’s what I fear.

Necessary burdens are those that are required
To achieve the trial outcomes. That’s what’s desired.

Infusions, PK visits even tech have their place,
But still are a burden and it’s what we must face.

It’s unnecessary burdens that cost sites a tonne.
There are endless examples of the silliness that’s done.

Fifty page consents are such an epic fail.
Whoever writes them should go to clinical trial jail.

Slightly high BMI is a study exclusion,
In too many studies causing participant seclusion.

The tech that doesn’t work comes at a huge cost.
Participants dealing with issues are routinely lost.

Trial finances are increasingly a struggle for sites.
Holdbacks delays low margins cause sleepless nights.

Reduced motivation due to delays and bad tech.
Sites silently quitting cause your study to wreck.

A message for all and with this I say please,
Stop hiring away all of our CRCs!

We have no one left to conduct all the trials,
But we’ll still carry on managing study files.

The definition of sites is something we’re rearranging,
But beware we’ll lose sites while the industry’s changing

Sites need the support of the sponsors they cherish.
Without it the burdens may cause them to perish.

Never in history have trials held such potential.
Achieving it means listening to sites is essential.

A great future of trials is one we can lead.
More engagement with sites is the answer we need.