Episode #1
How to make sites want to take part in clinical trials with Vivienne van de Walle
In this episode of Clinical Data Talks, Sylvain Berthelot welcomes Vivienne van de Walle, founder of PT&R, an independent clinical site she has successfully led for nearly 30 years. Together, they explore what it takes to make clinical sites truly want to participate in clinical trials and how site-level challenges impact the broader research ecosystem. Drawing on decades of on-the-ground experience, Vivienne highlights the growing operational burden placed on sites and patients due to technology overload and complex study protocols. From the alarming rate of "once-and-done" investigators dropping out after their first trial to Clinical Research Coordinators drowning in standalone systems, she sheds light on how software complexity drives talent out of the industry while taking time away from direct patient care. Sylvain and Vivienne discuss why true patient centricity requires reducing trial burden rather than just collecting more data, how consulting sites early in study design prevents costly protocol deviations, and why rushing trial setup timelines creates severe downstream friction for site operations. Tune in to explore how sponsors can foster better collaboration with sites, simplify digital workflows, and create a more sustainable environment for clinicians, site staff, and patients alike.
