ABSTRACT
Finding the ideal investigator to conduct a trial is one of the greatest challenges for clinical trial staff. Once suitable potential investigators have been identified, the drug company Clinical Research Associate will approach them to discuss: whether they wish to participate in a clinical trial and whether they and their facilities are acceptable to the company. Investigators may work anywhere providing they have access to a suitable group of patients and facilities for examining and assessing them. Without clinical investigators the drug industry could not develop drugs. The industry is, therefore, completely dependent on a group of professionals who are not accountable to them and who are ultimately the only market. Investigators are central to the whole concept of clinical trials. They have an important role in trial design, case record form design, obtaining ethics committee approval, selecting patients, obtaining consent and treating and assessing patients in a trial.
