What is it? Why is it important?

By maintaining study oversight, the Site-INV and Site-INV can ensure the quality of study data and the safety of study participants.

The SP-INV and a Site-INV are both responsible for ongoing study oversight during study set-up, conduct, and completion.

 

Study oversight includes but is not limited to the supervision regarding the:

 

An important oversight aspect is the surveillance of study progress, which are often coupled with expected pre-set milestones.

More

Study milestones could be:

  • Study submission to the Ethics Committee (EC) and regulatory authorities (e.g. Swissmedic, FOPHinternational)
  • Study initiation and training
  • Attainment of expected participant recruitment numbers
  • Last patient last visit
  • Study closure and data analysis
  • Publication(s)

Administrative and study relevant tasks can be delegated to applicable study staff, such as a project manager. Nevertheless, final responsibility remains at all times with the respective SP-INV or Site-INV(s) at a particular study site.

What do I need to do?

As a SP-INV, maintain ongoing study oversight by planning to review:

  • Study monitoring report(s) to ensure outstanding issues are addressed and resolved
  • Study quality and risk-control measures are assess regarding ongoing efficacy and applicability. Include checks for the occurrence of novel risks
  • The correct handling of the investigational product (IMP/IMD) and the biological material
  • The qualification and training of study staff

 

As a Site-INV, maintain ongoing study oversight by:

  • Complying with quality aspects defined by the SP-INV
  • Solving outstanding issues observed during site monitoring as efficiently and rapidly as feasible
  • Complying with data collection procedures

 

It is important to schedule regular team meetings with study staff and other relevant parties. This provides the opportunity to discuss and resolve open issues in a timely manner.

More

It is essential to schedule regular meetings with the study team as it provides opportunity to discuss:

  • Study participant recruitment problems
  • Risk reviews and the potential adaptation of risk-control measures
  • Organisational issues such as a shortage in resources (e.g. staff, infrastructure, budget)
  • Recurrent issues or problems that might trigger a protocol amendment

 

Document team meetings and keep track of open issues. Team meetings can also be used as a platform for staff trainings (e.g. study SOPs, WIs, protocol amendments, quality aspects,  newly delegated responsibilities)

 

With respect to budgetary means, a study might receive financial support only during a specific time period (e.g. financial support is only covered during a 2-year period). Keeping track of timeline, study activities, and milestones will ensure that the study moves forward as initially planned, and does not extend over the budgeted period.

Where can I get help?

Your local CTU can support you with experienced staff regarding this topic

External Links

Swissethics – in particular see

  • Template: Staff List

References

ICH GCP E6(R2) – see in particular guidelines

  • 4 Site-INV responsibilities
  • 5 SP-INV responsibilities

 

ISO 14155:2020 Medical devices (access liable to costs) - see in particular sections

  • 9 Responsibilities of the sponsor (SP-INV)
  • 10 Responsibilities of the sponsor investigator (Site-INV)
Abbreviations
  • CTU – Clinical Trials Unit
  • EC - Ethics Committee
  • Federal Office of Public Health
  • ICH-GCP – International Council for Harmonisation - Good Clinical Practice
  • IMP/IMD – Investigational Medicinal Product / Investigational Medical Device
  • ISO – International Organization for Standardization
  • QMS – Quality Management System
  • Site-INV – Site-Investigator
  • SP-INV – Sponsor-Investigator
Development ↦ Management ↦ Study Management ↦ Oversight
Study
Basic

Provides some background knowledge and basic definitions

Basic Protocol
Basic Statistics
Basic Monitoring
Basic Drug or Device
Concept

Starts with a study idea

Ends after having assessed and evaluated study feasibility

Concept Protocol
Concept Statistics
Concept Drug or Device
Development

Starts with confidence that the study is feasible

Ends after having received ethics and regulatory approval

Development Protocol
Development Statistics
Development Drug or Device
Set-Up

Starts with ethics and regulatory approval

Ends after successful study initiation

Set-Up Protocol
Set-Up Ethics and Laws
Set-Up Statistics
Set-Up Quality and Risk
Set-Up Drug or Device
Conduct

Starts with participant recruitment

Ends after the last participant has completed the last study visit

Conduct Protocol
Conduct Statistics
Conduct Drug or Device
Completion

Starts with last study visit completed

Ends after study publication and archiving

Completion Protocol
Completion Statistics
Completion Drug or Device
Current Path (click to copy): Development ↦ Management ↦ Study Management ↦ Oversight

Please note: the Easy-GCS tool is currently under construction.