In this episode of Innovating Clinical Trials, Liam and Ted challenge a familiar question in clinical research: “How do we increase enrollment?” Instead, they argue that progress starts by asking a better one- “What makes enrollment challenging in the first place?”

They explore how study design, existing therapies, operational factors, and most importantly, the lived experience of participants and their families all shape recruitment outcomes. Ted shares a practical framework for slowing down, asking deeper questions, and creating space for ideas that don’t emerge when teams jump straight to solutions.

Tune in to learn how reframing the problem can unlock more meaningful, effective approaches to enrollment.

In this episode of Innovating Clinical Trials, Liam and Ted explore why clinical research is, at its core, a people-driven business. Drawing on real-world experiences from both patient and site perspectives, they discuss how trust, communication, and human connection directly influence recruitment, retention, and study success.

From participant consent conversations to site selection and prioritization, the discussion highlights how “soft skills” often have a measurable impact on trial performance, yet are frequently overlooked in favor of technical experience alone.

Liam and Ted reflect on how small moments of empathy, transparency, and genuine engagement can transform transactional interactions into long-term partnerships.

Tune in to understand why focusing on people not just processes can dramatically improve how trials are delivered.

Welcome to Innovating Clinical Trials, the podcast designed for clinical research professionals eager to deepen their understanding of clinical trials through concise, insightful segments.

Join your hosts, Liam Eves and Ted Trafford, as they uncover the core issues in clinical research, reflect on the industry, and challenge conventional wisdom.

In this episode, Liam and Ted reveal how minor, unexpected requests often snowball into a significant site burden. They dive into why scope creep occurs, how sites can respond, and what sponsors can do to prevent it before it disrupts a study.