Collaborating centre retention

This section contains the following:

• Introduction 
• Things to consider
• Additional resources

Introduction 

For a trial to be successful, the involvement of collaborating centres is crucial across the lifetime of a trial. Whilst involvement is very high during the recruitment phase, collaborators are often required to input across the entire duration of the trial (e.g. to follow up specific patient queries or issues about adverse events). As such it is very important that collaborators’ commitment to the trial and their interest in its activities be kept high during the progress of the trial. 

The central trial office must ensure that all centres are kept aware of trial progress and are recognized fro their continued input to the trials success.

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Things to consider

• Make sure that clinical collaborators are protected from as much trial work load as possible e.g have dedicated research nurses.
• Responsibilities in the trial should be well delineated and management systems efficient.
• Make sure that all requests from collaborating centres are dealt with promptly.
• Listen to problems, suggestions that collaborators may have and respond accordingly.
• Always do what you say you will do.
• Ensure centres are kept up to date with trial progress e.g. through use of newsletters, emails, trial competition etc.

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Additional resources 

Checklist for keeping collaborators interest

Practical measures to consider to keep centres and staff interested in the trial.

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This page was last updated March 2009.