What is the purpose of clinical trial monitoring?

Sharon B. Love, Victoria Yorke-Edwards, Elizabeth Ward, Rebecca Haydock, Katie Keen, Katie Biggs, Gosala Gopalakrishnan, Lucy Marsh, Lydia O’Sullivan, Lisa Fox, Estelle Payerne, Kerenza Hood, Garry Meakin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Background: The sources of information on clinical trial monitoring do not give information in an accessible language and do not give detailed guidance. In order to enable communication and to build clinical trial monitoring tools on a strong easily communicated foundation, we identified the need to define monitoring in accessible language.

Methods: In a three-step process, the material from sources that describe clinical trial monitoring were synthesised into principles of monitoring. A poll regarding their applicability was run at a UK national academic clinical trials monitoring meeting.

Results: The process derived 5 key principles of monitoring: keeping participants safe and respecting their rights, having data we can trust, making sure the trial is being run as it was meant to be, improving the way the trial is run and preventing problems before they happen.

Conclusion: From the many sources mentioning monitoring of clinical trials, the purpose of monitoring can be summarised simply as 5 principles. These principles, given in accessible language, should form a firm basis for discussion of monitoring of clinical trials.
Original languageEnglish
Article number836
JournalTrials
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2022

Keywords

  • Clinical trial monitoring
  • Clinical trials methodology
  • Trial conduct

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