Clinical trial professionals agree that study startup, which takes up 61 percent of a trial’s timeline, needs to be streamlined but most still are using manual processes rather than automated systems that can accelerate the timeline, according to a new survey.

Respondents to a recent Veeva survey favored automating startup processes like contracting and budgeting (63 percent) and collecting essential site documents (61 percent). But 81 percent of the 524 respondents reported that they still use spreadsheets and manual methods of information exchange to manage such tasks to some extent.

Approximately 50 percent of respondents said they also use electronic trial master file and clinical trial management systems, while 30 percent said they use online survey tools, 24 percent use purpose-built startup applications and site portals, and 22 percent use internally developed systems.

More strategies are needed to reduce delays, especially for trials starting during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey concludes. The biggest startup challenges reported by respondents were site contracting and budgeting (68 percent), site identification, feasibility and selection (55 percent), IRB approval and planning (46 percent), site essential document collection (44 percent), and regulatory and SOP compliance (26 percent).

Overall, respondents said they use an average of three tools — manual or automated — to manage study startup activities.

To read the study, click here: https://bit.ly/32Aa6xN.